Part 10 (1/2)
”Begging of your pardon, Mr Miller,” replied Harris, possibly perceiving in which direction the wind was about to blow, ”but if you want any more of your dirty work done you'll do it yourself.”
Cook was horrified.
”Well, the likes of that! After all Mr Miller has done for you!”
”Done for me! He has made me do what I'm ashamed of, that's what he's done for me! I've had enough of him, and of you too, Mrs Boyes was as good a mistress as anyone need have. I know it if no one else does.
And, Miss Molly, your mother always paid my wages regular to the moment; you don't owe me nothing. And you don't owe cook and Betsy nothing either.”
”What do you know about what is and is not owing me?” screamed cook.
”I know you were paid each month; and, what's more, I know you gave a receipt for it. Why, you told me yourself that you took the wages'
receipt book from the little cupboard in the corner.”
Cook's virtuous indignation was beautiful to behold.
”It only shows how sensible Mary Sharp was to pack her box and take herself outside of such a place. And I'll do the same within the hour.”
”So will I,” said Betsy.
”Mr Sanford,” I said, ”all sorts of mother's things are missing, and I shouldn't be at all surprised if cook and Betsy have taken some of them.”
”Me taken your mother's things!” screamed cook. I believe that if it had not been for Mr Sanford she would have scratched me.
”I think it not at all improbable,” he agreed. ”Is there a constable hereabouts?”
”There's one in the village.” This was Harris, who seemed to have arrived at a sudden resolution to attack his late allies at every possible point, ”Name of Parker.”
”If you will be so good as to request Mr Parker's immediate attendance you shall have no reason to regret it, Mr Harris. Neither of you women will leave this house until the contents of your boxes have been examined in the presence of a policeman.”
Cook looked uncomfortable as she met Mr Sanford's stern glance. And it was stern! Betsy began to cry.
”And what's more,” added Harris, pointing at the Ogre, ”I happen to know that there was money in Mrs Boyes's desk, and he knows it too.”
With that parting shot Harris hurried off down the avenue.
”Things are beginning to wear rather an ugly aspect, Mr Miller.”
”Ugly aspect! What do you mean? You needn't think I want to stop in this hugger-muggering hole! I am just as anxious to get out of it as anyone can be to get me out.”
”I should hardly think that possible.”
”I only regret that I ever set foot in it.”
”Then the regret is general.”
”As for these ungrateful little wretches, and especially you, my lad!”--this was d.i.c.k--”they shall hear of me very soon in quite another fas.h.i.+on, when they haven't got a bully to back them up.”
Mr Sanford laughed.