"Pray shut the door," observed Miss Maynard, who was still upon the doorstep. "Come in here, Phillips, and tell me what is the matter."
Miss Maynard looked disturbed. Mr. Spooner was bad enough before, but he might make things very unpleasant indeed if anything had occurred to annoy him further.
"Oh, Miss Em, Mr. Roland has been here."
"Mr. Roland!"
"Yes, miss. And there was the Major and he a-shouting at each other, and the next thing I see was the Major dragging of him downstairs and a-shoving of him down the front steps."
Miss Maynard sank upon a chair. She seemed nearly fainting.
"Mrs. Phillips, this is awful."
"Awful ain't the word for it, miss. It's a case for the police."
"Mrs. Phillips, this is worse than you can possibly conceive. I must see the Major."
"The Major's in the drawing-room. Can't you hear him, miss?"