"Take the seat over there, Sexton. You came in to see me from Fairlawn?"
"No, sir, I didn't. The fact is, I'm not out there any longer."
"Not there! What do you mean?"
"I've been discharged, sir, with two other servants, since the funeral yesterday."
"Discharged! Why I understood you had been employed there for years."
"Several years, sir."
"And now discharged! By whom? Not Miss Natalie surely?"
"Yes, sir. She didn't give no reason; just said we were not wanted any longer. That's one reason why I came here to see you, sir."
"But I hardly know how I can be of help. I have no house of my own, and—well, the truth of the matter is, Sexton, just at present I am not on very good terms with the young lady myself."
"I know that, sir," more confidently. "And it isn't a position I am seeking, at all. I have quite a tidy bit of money laid away, and could get plenty of work. That's not the point, sir. Why should Miss Natalie tell me to go like that? It isn't a bit like her, sir; she ain't seemed natural at all lately, and I tell you there's something wrong goin' on out there. I'm sure o' that, sir."