"Am I speaking to Mrs. Purcell?" And then the new-comer smiled at Rotha and shook hands with her.
"That is my name," said Prissy. "It aint her'n."
"I am aware of that too," said the stranger composedly, "and my present business is with Mrs. Purcell. I wish to know, in the first place, how many weeks Miss Carpenter has been in your house?"
"What do you want to know for?" said Prissy. "Is it any business o' yourn?"
"Yes. I may say it is nobody else's business. You have a right to ask; and that is my answer."
"What do you want to know for?"
"I wish to discharge your account. Miss Carpenter promised that you should be honestly paid, when the time came; and the time is come now."
"Be you come from Mis' Busby?"
"I saw Mrs. Busby a few days ago."
"And she sent you?"