w that it had come. Rickie said: "There is a slight
misunderstanding. I, like my wife, have known what there is to know for
two years"--a dignified rebuff, but their second blunder.

"Exactly," said Agnes. "Now I think Mr. Ansell had better go."

"Go?" exploded Ansell. "I've everything to say yet. I beg your pardon,
Mrs. Elliot, I am concerned with you no longer. This man"--he turned
to the avenue of faces--"this man who teaches you has a brother. He has
known of him two years and been ashamed. He has--oh--oh--how it fits
together! Rickie, it's you, not Mrs. Silt, who must have sent tales of
him to your aunt. It's you who've turned him out of Cadover. It's you
who've ordered him to be ruined today."

Now Herbert arose. "Out of my sight, sir! But have it from me first that
Rickie and his aunt have both behaved most generously. No, no, Agnes,
I'll not be interrupted. Garbled versions must not get about. If the
Wonham man is not satisfied now, he must be insatiable. He cannot levy
blackmail on us for ever. Sir, I give you two minutes; then you will be
expelled by force."

"Two minutes!" sang Ansell. "I can say a great deal in that." He put
one foot on a chair and held his arms over the quivering room. He seemed
transfigured into a Hebrew prophet passionate for satire and the truth.
"Oh, keep quiet for two minutes," he cried, "and I'll tell you something
you'll be glad to hear. You're a little afraid Stephen may come back.
Don't be afraid. I bring good news. You'll never see him nor any one
like him again. I must speak very plainly, for you are all three
fools. I don't want you to say afterwards, 'Poor Mr. Ansell tried to be
clever.' Generally I don't mind, but I should mind today. Please listen.
Stephen is a bully; he drinks; he knocks one down; but he would sooner
die than take money from people he did not love. Perhaps he will die,
for he has nothing but a few pence that the poor gave him and some
tobacco which, to my eternal glory, he accepted from me. Please listen
again. Why did he come here? Because he thought you would love him, and
was ready to love you. But I tell you, don't be afraid. He would sooner
die now than say you were his brother. Please listen again--"

"Now, Stewart, don't go on like that," said Rickie bitterly. "It's easy
enough to preach when you are an outsider. You would be more
charitable if such a thing had happened to yourself. Easy enough to be
unconventional when you haven't suffered and kn