"Yes. But—"
"Then you can say what errand you had there; what business took you to it," continued Mr. Verner.
"It was no harm took me, sir. I went to get a dish o' tea with Martha Broom. Many's the time she have asked me since Christmas; and my husband, he was out with the Dawsons and all that bother; and Luke, he's gone, and there was nothing to keep me at home. I changed my gownd and I went."
"What time was that?"
"'Twas the middle o' the afternoon, sir. The clock had gone three."
"Did you stay tea there?"
"In course, sir, I did. Broom, he was out, and she was at home by herself a-rinsing out some things. But she soon put 'em away, and we sat down and had our teas together. We was a-talking about—"
"Never mind that," said Mr. Verner. "It was in coming home, I conclude, that you were met by young Broom."
Mrs. Roy raised her apron again, and passed it over her face but not a word spoke she in answer.