"Like a sucked orange as that blackguard Swanland would have liked to do," Mr. Lang kindly explained.
"I suppose you will start in business on your own account when you return to England," said Mrs. Mortomley, seeing some reply was expected from her.
"No," answered Mr. Lang slowly and solemnly; "no, no, that ain't good enough for me, not by no means. If I can earn enough in foreign parts (I want no secrets from a lady like you) I will put the wife into a business. That there new Act is a jolly good thing for such as us; and then, if you have no call for me, I'll try to get a berth as foreman. Mrs. Mortomley," he added almost in a whisper, and bending his head eagerly forward, "have you found anything yet?"
"No," she answered; "nevertheless, I think it is to be done. Lang," and rising in her earnestness she went on, "are you true or are you false? Can I trust you or can I not?"
"True before God, ma'am," he replied rising likewise. "And you may trust me to the death."
"That is enough," she answered; then added imperatively, "Sit down. If you are going to-morrow, I must speak to you now."
"Is—is there a drop of cold tea about anywhere, ma'am?" he asked, feeling he needed something perfectly to steady his senses, and yet fearing to touch water as though he were a mad dog.
Dolly laughed; the experience tickled her, and going to a cupboard which held Susan's treasures, produced a pot from which she poured a cup of cold tea.
"Milk and sugar?" she asked.