"I have. But what I am about to tell you, keep to yourselves."
"We have promised that," snapped Sophy, for all this mysterious talk was irritating her greatly. "What is it you know?"
"I must begin at the beginning," said Mrs. Beatson solemnly, and taking every advantage of the situation; "and when my son knows all, I shall expect my son to defend my honor."
"Against Mr. Hendle?" asked Kit nervously.
"He has behaved like a brute!" cried Mrs. Beatson, flaming up. "But bad as he is, he is not so bad as that nasty Mr. Carrington."
"The lawyer," said Sophy, curiously. "What has he to do with it."
"If you will only let me speak, I shall explain," said Mrs. Beatson, in a dignified manner.
"Go on, mother," said her son impatiently. "Don't keep us on tenterhooks."
Mrs. Beatson frowned severely, but, not seeing her way to an answer, began to relate her grievance. It was characteristic of her profound belief in her own rectitude that she told everything, plainly and baldly, never thinking that her listeners would condemn what she had done. From the moment when the Squire had informed her of his intention to marry Miss Mallien forthwith, down to the interview which had just taken place, the housekeeper detailed all that had happened, concealing nothing, but exaggerating a great deal. Naturally she made herself out to be a martyr, and was greatly annoyed when she brought her story to an end, to see disgust written on Sophy's face and dismay on the face of her son. "What do you both mean by glaring at me in that way?" she demanded, after waiting for comments, which were not made as speedily as she expected.
"I don't think that you have behaved at all well," said Sophy bluntly, seeing that Kit was speechless.
"What do you mean by that?" demanded Mrs. Beatson bristling. "Impertinence."
"Mother," struck in the young man quietly, and recovering his speech, "if this matter is to be discussed we may as well discuss it reasonably."
"I ask for nothing better. Haven't I been disgracefully treated?"
"No," said Kit, pulling himself together and becoming both manly and heroic; "you had no business to listen to Mr. Hendle and Mr. Leigh; you had no business to tell Mr. Mallien what you overheard; and you had no business to meddle with that will."