ak to you. You said something to me
to-day, before Honyman, that was very improper."

"What I say always is improper, I know."

"I don't suppose you could have intended to insinuate that you
thought that I was a lunatic."

"I didn't say so."

"You said something like it."

"No, I didn't, T."

"Yes you did, Margaret."

"If you'll allow me for a moment, T., I'll tell you what I did say,
and if you wish it, I'll say it again."

"No; I'd rather not hear it said again."

"But, T., I don't choose to be misunderstood, nor yet
misrepresented."

"I haven't misrepresented you."

"But I say you have misrepresented me. If I ain't allowed to speak
a word, of course it isn't any use for me to open my mouth. I hope
I know what my duty is and I hope I've done it;--both by you, T.,
and by the children. I know I'm bound to submit, and I hope I have
submitted. Very hard it has been sometimes when I've seen things
going as they have gone; but I've remembered my duty as a wife,
and I've held my tongue when any other woman in England would have
spoken out. But there are some things which a woman can't stand and
shouldn't; and if I'm to see my girls ruined and left without a roof
over their heads, or a bit to eat, or a thing to wear, it shan't be
for want of a word from me."

"Didn't they always have plenty to eat?"

"But where is it to come from if you're going to rush openmouthed
into the lion's jaws in this way? I've done my duty by you, T., and
no man nor yet no woman can say anything to the contrary. And if it
was myself only I'd see myself on the brink of starvation before
I'd say a word; but I can't see those poor girls brought to beggary
without telling you what everybody in Baslehurst is talking about;
and I can't see you, T., behaving in such a way and sit by and hold
my tongue."

"Behave in what way? Haven't I worked like a horse? Do you mean
to tell me that I am to give up my business, and my position, and
everything I have in the world, and go away because a young scoundrel
comes to Baslehurst and tells me that he wants to have my brewery? I
tell you what, Margaret, if you think I'm that sort of man, you don't
know me yet."

"I don't know about knowing you, T."

"No; you don't know me."

"If you come to that, I know very well that I have been deceived.
I didn't want to speak of it, but now I must. I have been made to
believe for these last twenty years that the brewery was all your
own, whereas it now tu