“What would you like for breakfast, sir?” said Mrs. Parrot, opening the door.
“Oh, anything you please. A new-laid egg if you can find me one.”
“Yes, sir. I took four beauties out just now. Have you heard the news, sir?”
“No. What news?”
“Well, sir, it’s what I allus thought must happen; and day after day I’ve bin expectin’ it, as mother’ll bear me out. They’ve got the brokers in at the Conways.”
“The brokers!” exclaimed Holdsworth, turning round in his chair quickly.
“Yes, sir. Their gal told the milkman just now, as giv’ me the news. And what’s wuss—leastways some might call it wuss, though I should consider it a good job myself if I was his wife—Mr. Conway hasn’t been home all night!”
“The villain!” exclaimed Holdsworth through his teeth. And then he jumped up and began to pace the room excitedly.
“Stop!” he cried, observing that Mrs. Parrot was about to withdraw. “Are you sure this news is true?”
“Oh, I’ve no doubt of it, sir. When the milkman told me, I was jest goin’ to run across and see the poor lady, and then I says to myself, ‘What use can I be to her?’”