"The worruk will be done; niver you mind about that."
"Did you fling this tumbler at my head?" demanded Mr. Craven, sternly.
Katy looked at it scrutinizingly, and made answer:
"I wouldn't swear it was the same one, sir, but it looks like it."
"Then you admit throwing a tumbler at my head, do you?"
"It is the same thing. How came you to have the cursed impudence to do such a thing?" asked her master, wrathfully.
"Because you was goin' to shoot the dog," said Katy, coolly.
"Suppose I was, is it any business of yours?"
"The dog doesn't belong to you, Mr. Craven. It belongs to Master Frank."
"I don't think it expedient for him to keep such an ill-natured brute around."
"He calls you a brute, Pomp," said Katy, caressing Pompey--"you that's such a good dog. It's a shame!"
"Catherine," said Mr. Craven, with outraged dignity, "your conduct is very improper. You have insulted me."
"By the powers, how did I do it?" asked Katy, with an affectation of innocent wonder.
"It was an insult to throw that tumbler at my head. I might order the constable to arrest you."
"I'd like to see him thry it!" said Katy, putting her arms akimbo in such a resolute fashion that Mr. Craven involuntarily stepped back slightly.
"Are you aware that I am your master?" continued Mr. Craven, severely.
"No, I'm not. The house don't belong to you at all, sir. It belongs to my mistress and Master Frank."
"That's the same thing. According to the law, I am in control of their property," said Mr. Craven, resolved upon a master-stroke which, he felt confident, would overwhelm his adversary. "After the great impropriety of which you have been guilty this afternoon, I discharge you from my employment."
"You discharge me!" exclaimed Katy, with incredulous scorn.
"I discharge you, and I desire you to leave the house to-morrow."
"You discharge me!" repeated Katy, with a ringing laugh. "That's a good one."
Mr. Craven's cadaverous face colored with anger.
"If you don't go quietly, I'll help you out," he added, incautiously.
"Come on, then," said Katy, assuming a warlike attitude. "Come on, then, and we'll see whether you can put out Katy O'Grady."
"Your impudence will not avail you. I am determined to get rid of you."
"And do ye think I'm goin' to lave the house, and my ould misthress, and Master Frank, at the orders of such an interloper as you, Mr. Craven?" she cried, angrily.