"Who is the old lady who comes here?"
"Oh, she's Mrs. Herne," said the cook. "A cross, 'aughty old
thing, who fights always. She's been coming here with Mr.
Jarvey Hale and Mr. Clancy for the last three years. They
play whist every evening and go away regular about ten.
Missus let's 'em out themselves or else rings for me. Why,
there's the bell now," and Mrs. Pill rose.
"No! I go," said Susan, rising also. "Miss Loach told me to
come when she rang."
Mrs. Pill nodded and resumed her seat and her darning. "Lor
bless you, my love, I ain't jealous," she said. "My legs
ain't as young as they was. 'Urry, my dear, missus is a bad
'un to be kept waitin'."
Thus urged, Susan hastened to the front part of the house and
down the stairs. The door of the sitting-room was open. She
knocked and entered, to find Mr. Clancy, who looked rougher
and more foolish than ever, standing by the table. Miss
Loach, with a pack of cards on her lap, was talking, and Susan
heard the concluding sentence as she entered the room.
"You're a fool, Clancy," said Miss Loach, emphatically. "You
know Mrs. Herne doesn't like to be contradicted. You've sent
her away in a fine rage, and she's taken Hale with her. Quite
spoilt our game of--ah, here's Susan. Off with you, Clancy.
I wish to be alone."
The man would have spoken, but Miss Loach silenced him with a
sharp gesture and pointed to the door. In silence he went
upstairs with Susan, and in silence left the house.
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