"My Neddy, ma'am."
Mrs. Harland gave an indignant twitch to her skimpy skirts. She moved across the room in the direction of the bell. The woman, perceiving her intention, gave an appealing cry.
"Don't be hard upon me. I've come all the way from America to see my Neddy, ma'am."
Mrs. Harland hesitated, her hand upon the bell-rope. This woman, when a child, had been her own pupil in the Sunday-school. Later she had been her servant. While in her service she had "gone wrong." The same day on which she had been turned adrift she had disappeared from Duddenham. Her former mistress had heard nothing of her from that hour unto the present one.
"Jane Cooper, my servant told me that you gave your name as Mrs. Bindon. Are you Mrs. Bindon? Is that true?"
"It's gospel truth."
"Then"--Mrs. Harland released her hold of the bell-rope--"it was Jolly Jack."
"That it was."
Mrs. Harland moved a step nearer to the woman.
"Do you mean to tell me that all those boys are yours?"