"No doubt, ma'am."
"And you cannot enlighten me?"
"She is no friend of mine."
"Nor is she of Jane's. Jane spoke to me about her. Has she remarked concerning this girl to you?"
"Can't say, ma'am, as I notice all Jane says. She talks a good deal."
"You see, there must be someone who is a stranger and who has access to this house. It is most awkward."
"Very so, ma'am."
I could get nothing more from the cook. I might as well have talked to a log; and, indeed, her face assumed a wooden look as I continued to speak to her on the matter. So I sighed, and said—
"Very well, hash with tomato," and went upstairs.
A few days later the house-parlourmaid said to me, "Please, ma'am, may I have another pill?"