"The master frightened her," said the cook, very sourly, "and she wishes to go to the police."
"The police! What nonsense! Why?"
"The master rang, and she took up his shaving water—and what happened frightened her."
"Where's father and mother?" cried Susan. "I want my mother. Take me home to tell father. Or let me go to the police station, and I'll tell them."
Marsden had followed his wife upstairs, and he showed himself at the kitchen door. At sight of him, Susan ceased talking and began to howl again.
"She's frightened to death," said the cook.
Mrs. Marsden was patting the girl's shoulder, studying her tear-stained face eagerly and intently.
"There, there," she said gently, as if reassured by all that the red cheeks and streaming eyes had told her. "I think this is a great noise about nothing at all."
"Of course it is," said Marsden, at the door.
"Don't leave me alone with him," bellowed Susan. "I won't be kep' a prisoner. I want to see my mother—and my father."