"Looking round?"
"Your room, miss."
Sally gasped. "You have the insolence to suggest searching my room?"
"Well, miss--"
"I forbid you positively to do anything of sort without Mrs. Gosnold's permission."
"There!" Miss Pride interpolated with sour satisfaction. "If she has nothing to fear, why should she object?"
"Do be quiet, Mercedes," Mrs. Standish advised sweetly. "Miss Manwaring is quite right to object, even if innocent."
"You see, miss," Mason persisted, "I have Mrs. Gosnold's authority to make such investigation as I see fit."
"I forbid you to touch anything in this room."
"I'm sorry. I'd rather not. But it looks to me like my duty."