'Really, my dear, you take me aback. I was unprepared. This is wholly, entirely unexpected.'
'It is but a plain answer that I ask for as to facts,' said Winefred. 'I will accept whichever name you say, but, remember this, father, I will no longer—no, not for a day—suffer my poor mother to be thrust out of all consideration and called my nurse. Anyhow, after what has occurred, I shall return to her again, be she Marley or Holwood. My mother she is, and dear, past words to say, she has always been, is, and ever will be to me. Father, if you desire to have me here at any time with you, and if you value a daughter's love, you will seek and find me in my mother's arms; whether that mother be Marley or Holwood by name—she is mother to me. Now, which is it?'
He was groping in his waistcoat pocket, then in the tails of his bottle-green coat. He turned round and round again, like a parrot on a perch, but with none of the coolness, the audacity of a parrot.
'Very well—I go back to Axmouth at once,' said the girl.
'O Winefred!'—he remained stationary for a moment—'do not leave me! You do not know all. I cannot explain everything at once. There are many things to be considered.'
'Father, I must know what is my real name. Is it Marley, or is it Holwood?'
'Oh, do not worry and distract me. I am very ill. The doctors say that they cannot cure me—it may be long—it may be short——'
'I am indeed sorry to leave you, dear father. But you know where at all times I may be found—with my mother.'
Again the feeble man began twisting about.
'Come,' said Jesse. She let go her hold of Winefred, and caught the father, gripping both his arms and holding him fast so that he could no more revolve. 'Come, Mr. Holwood, I will shake you. Positively I will shake you to bits unless you answer Winefred. Now——' She had him by the shoulders.