For Mrs Darcy Sutherland had paused.
"Well? You think it's well, do you? Then all I can say is, I don't. Mrs Champion, I've come to see your husband."
"He's not here."
"He's not here? Then where is he?"
"It is sufficient for you to be informed that he's not here."
"Oh, no, it isn't; and don't you think it, my love. It's not sufficient by a long way. He promised to let us hear from him directly he got down here; we've heard nothing from that day to this, and that's some time ago, you know."
"If that is all you have to say I'll ring the bell."
"But it's not all I've got to say. Still, you can ring the bell if you like, it's not my bell. Though, if you take my advice, you'll hear me out before you do."
"Go on."
"Oh, I'll go on, as I told you before, don't you worry, and don't you try to bully me, because I'm not to be bullied, threatening me with your bells! Mrs Champion," the woman repeated the name with a curious gusto, enjoying the discomfort the sound of it occasioned the girl in front of her, "Mr Sutherland and me, we're not rich. Your husband promised to give us back that money we let him have, and since it seems that I can't see him I should like to see the colour of the money."