"Stop, fool!" said Mrs. Brudenell. And the "fool" stopped and turned,
hat in hand, waiting further orders.
"Do you mean to say that Mr. Brudenell goes after those girls?" asked
the lady, raising her voice ominously.
"Yes, madam; leastways, after Miss Nora. You see, madam, young gentlemen
will be young gentlemen, for all their mas can say or do; and when the
blood is warm and the spirits is high, and the wine is in and the wit is
out--"
"No preaching, I say! Pray, are you a clergyman or a barrister? Tell me
at once what reason you have for saying that my son goes to Worths'
cottage?"
"Yes, madam; I has seen him often and often along of Miss Nora a-walking
in the valley forest, when I have been there myself looking for herbs
and roots to make up my vegetable medicines with. And I have seen him go
home with her. And at last I said, 'It is my bounden duty to go and tell
the madam.'"
"You are very sure of what you say?"
"Yes, madam, sure as I am of my life and my death."
"This is very annoying! very! I had supposed Mr. Brudenell to have had
better principles. Of course, when a young gentleman of his position
goes to see a girl of hers, it can be but with one object. I had thought
Herman had better morals, and Hannah at least more sense! This is very
annoying! very!" said the lady to herself, as her brows contracted with
anger. After a few moments spent in silent thought, she said: "It is the girl Nora, you say, he is with so much?"
"Yes, madam."
"Then go to the hut this very evening and tell that girl she must come
up here to-morrow morning to see me. I thank you for your zeal in my
service, Morris, and will find a way to reward you. And now you may do
my errand."
"Certainly, madam! My duty to you, madam," said the professor, with a
low bow, as he left the room and hurried away to deliver his message to
Nora Worth.
"This is very unpleasant," said the lady. "But since Hannah has no more
prudence than to let a young gentleman visit her sister, I must talk to
the poor, ignorant child myself, and warn her that she risks her good
name, as well as her peace of mind."