"Do you mean to tell me you can't hear it?" demanded his wife, in a choking voice.
Mr. Chalk lost his presence of mind. "I thought it was a bird," he said, assuming a listening attitude.
"Bird?" gasped the indignant Mrs. Chalk. "Look down there. Do you call that a bird?"
Mr. Chalk looked and uttered a little cry of astonishment.
"I suppose she wants to see one of the servants," he said, at last; "but why doesn't she go round to the side entrance? I shall have to speak to them about it."
Mrs. Chalk drew herself up and eyed him with superb disdain.
"Go down and speak to her," she commanded. "Certainly not," said Mr. Chalk, braving her, although his voice trembled.
"Why not?"
"Because if I did you would ask me what she said, and when I told you you wouldn't believe me," said Mr. Chalk.
"You—you decline to go down?" said his wife, in a voice shaking with emotion.