"Abuse you? I shan't waste breath on abusing you. You have cheated me—or you've tried to cheat me. For I'm not going to let you;" and he turned towards the others. "Take notice, all of you, that I shan't submit to this. Prentice, do you understand? You were always hostile to me. I suppose you helped to hatch this plot."
Mr. Prentice was looking so absolutely bewildered that his face should have been sufficient proof of his innocence.
"No," he said feebly. "All this has come upon me as a complete surprise."
"Then you, Mr. Collins—understand it's all mighty fine, but it won't wash."
"Won't it?" said Collins.
"No, I don't allow myself to be cheated—even by my wife."
"Richard," said Mrs. Marsden, "don't call me a cheat again."
"You there—Bence—take notice. I'll bring you to account for this. I'm not the sort to be tricked and fooled by any little swine that gets plotting with my wife. No, not if I know it. Cheating people is very clever, but—"
Mrs. Marsden sprang up from her chair by the wall.