“Oh, mum, I don’t like to be left alone with that man!” cried the servant, looking down the passage.
“Vy not?” said the man. “If you’re all goin’, who’s to cook my wittles, I should like to know?”
“I’ll not stop!” exclaimed the girl. “I wouldn’t trust myself anear him.”
“You’re free to stop or go, as you please,” said Holdsworth, giving her some money.
“Then I ain’t to be paid out arter all?” exclaimed the man, striking a match, and holding it flaming in one hand and his pipe in the other.
“Not by me,” answered Holdsworth, opening the hall-door.
He took Nelly’s hand and gave Dolly his arm. She drew a long quivering sob as she passed through the garden; and then, seeing some inquisitive faces staring over the wire-blinds in the opposite house, hung her head and stepped out quickly.
Mrs. Parrot, hearing them come in, ran out of the kitchen, and stood looking from one to the other of them in mute astonishment.
“Mrs. Conway will make a temporary home of your house, Mrs. Parrot,” said Holdsworth. “You will kindly prepare a bed-room for her and Miss Nelly, and place your drawing-room at her disposal.”
Dolly had sunk into a chair. He poured out some wine and held it to her, but she waved it away, striving to suppress her sobs.