Norah, alternately flushing and turning pale, defended herself with vigor. She was indignant not with the threats, but with the suspicion. She swore that she had never for one instant thought of a young man, much less spoken to or made appointments with a young man; and that she had broken the house-rule simply because she found it almost impossible to keep it. She had always loved wandering about under the trees: she used to go there all alone as a baby, and she thought it unreasonable that she might not go there alone as a grown-up person.
Norah's indignant tone suggested complete innocence, and Mavis felt relieved in mind, but yet not quite sure whether the girl was really telling the truth.
She indirectly returned to the charge on the following Sunday, when Norah was about to start for her afternoon out.
"Norah, I want a word with you."
The girl came back along the flagged path to the kitchen door.
"It's just this, Norah. You'll please to remember what I've told you, and act accordingly."
Norah turned her head and answered over her shoulder, rather sullenly, as Mavis thought.
"All right. I remember."
"Don't answer me like that," said Mavis sharply. "And please to remember your manners, and look at people when you speak to them."
"All right," said Norah again, and, as Mavis judged, very sullenly this time.