"Don't talk like that! Under the circumstances you had no right to give me the bag at all."
"You are wrong; I did not give it you. On the contrary, I implored you not to take it. But you insisted."
"Philip, how can you say such a wicked thing? I remember exactly what happened. I had been buying some veils. I was saying to you how I hated carrying parcels, even small ones----"
"Agatha, don't let us enter into this matter now. You may be called upon to make your statement in another place. I can only hope that our statements will not clash."
For the first time Mrs. Tranmer showed symptoms of genuine anxiety.
"You don't mean to say that I'm to be dragged into a court of law because of that twopenny-halfpenny bag?"
"I think it possible. What else can you expect?
"I must tell this unfortunate young lady how the matter stands. I apprehend that I shall have to repeat my statement in open court, and that you will be called upon to supplement it. I also take it that no stone will be left unturned to induce you to give a clear and satisfactory account of what became of the bag after it passed into your hands."
"My goodness! And I know no more what became of it than anything."
"I must go to Miss Angel at once."