“What do you say, Hawkesbury?” inquired I.
“Well,” said he, smiling pleasantly, “it’s not a nice thing to turn against one’s master and mistress; but really Miss Henniker has been very vexing lately.”
“Hurrah! then you agree?” And the question was put all round, every one assenting. At least so I thought. But Smith as usual was doubtful of Hawkesbury.
“You agree, Hawkesbury?” said he.
“Really,” said the other, with a smile, “it isn’t nice to be suspected, Smith. Isn’t it enough to say a thing once?”
“Oh yes, yes,” cried out every one, impatiently, and most anxious to keep the meeting harmonious. “He said he did, Smith; what more do you want? Do let’s pull all together.”
“Just what I want,” said Smith.
“Well,” said Philpot, “I propose we lock them up in the big schoolroom.”
“Wouldn’t it be better,” said Flanagan, “to lock the Henniker up in her own room, and let Ladislaw and Hashford have the parlour? It will be more comfortable for them. There’s a sofa there and a carpet. Besides, the window’s a worse one to get out of.”
“How about feeding them?” some one asked.