She was waiting in the passage as Mary came in.
"The mistress is upset about something," she said. "After she got Mr.
Nicholson's letter."
"There wasn't anything to upset her in that, Catty."
"P'raps not, Miss Mary; but I thought I'd tell you."
Mamma had been crying all evening. Her pocket-handkerchief lay in her lap, a wet rag.
"I thought you were never coming back again," she said.
"Why, where did you think I'd gone?"
"Goodness knows where. I believe there's nothing you wouldn't do. I've no security with you, Mary…. Staying out till all hours of the night…. Sitting up with that man…. You'll be the talk of the place if you don't take care."
(She thought: "I must let her go on. I won't say anything. If I do it'll be terrible.")
"I can't think what possessed you…."