Part 46 (1/2)

”Yes, _you_ have.”

”And haven't I taken trouble in teaching you your duties? You are getting on very nicely; and if you stay with me a little longer, I shall be able to recommend you as competent.”

But this servant said what all other servants had said to Mrs. Marsden.

Susan had no fault to find with her mistress.

”I should be comfortable, if it wasn't for _him_. But I've never been comfortable with him.”

And then she went back to her starting point.

”I'd rather go 'ome. I must ask mother's advice--and tell father too. I don't believe father would wish it 'ushed up.”

However, Mrs. Marsden finally succeeded. By bedtime Susan was pacified.

”Yes, I'll stay, ma'am. I'd like to stay with you--but may I sleep in Em'ly's room?”

”Of course you may.”

Next morning no one came to call Mrs. Marsden; no fires were lighted; no breakfast was being prepared. Both the servants had gone. In the night cook had persuaded the girl to change her mind.

A letter from cook, conspicuously displayed on the dining-room mantelpiece, explained matters.

”_Dear Madame_,--

”We are sorry to leave you but feel we cannot stay in this house. I have advised Susan to go to her Home and she has gone there.

”Yours respectfully, ”MISS EMILY HOWARD.”

Mrs. Marsden went to her husband's room, woke him, and repeated the substance of Miss Howard's note.

He was dreadful to see, in the cold morning light--unshaven, white and puffy; sitting up in bed, biting his coa.r.s.e fingers, and looking at her with cowardly blood-shot eyes.

”Where is her home?”

Mrs. Marsden said that Susan's parents lived somewhere on the other side of Linkfield.

”Twelve miles away! She's gone out by train. She has got there by now.

What are we to do?”

”I scarcely know.”

”Let me think a minute.... Yes, look here. Get hold of old Prentice--He's a man of the world. He'll help you. He'll be able to shut them up.”

And with terrified haste he gave her his directions. She was to run to Mr. Prentice's private house, and catch him before he started for his office. Then she was to run to Cartwright's garage and hire a motor-car for the day; and then she and Mr. Prentice were to go scouring out into the country, to silence Susan and all her relatives.

”Tell Prentice to take plenty of money with him. And don't forget--ask for Cartwright's open car. It's faster. And don't waste a minute--don't wait for breakfast or anything--and don't let Prentice wait either.”

In an hour she and her old friend were spinning along the Linkfield road in the hired motor-car. The east wind cut their faces, dirt sprinkled their arms, gloomy thoughts filled their minds.