"Nannie, you are an old stupid! Do you mean to say that you don't recognise my voice as well as I do yours? Why, I'm Meg come back to see you again!--open the door at once, you goose!" "I'll no open the door this day." "Nannie!" "Margaret Wallace, I tell you I'll no open the door for you this day, so back you go from where you came." "Nannie! how can you speak to me like that! How dare you!" "I'm but obeying Mr. Cuthbert's orders, and it's not fear of you that'll stay me from doing that." "Do you mean to tell me that Cuthbert Grahame forbade you to let me into the house?" "He did a great deal more. He said that if you ever came near it he'd bring half-a-dozen dogs to set them at you. So take yourself off, and be quick about it." "But, Nannie, I don't understand." "None of your lies! It's plain enough! So be off to where you're wanted--if it's anywhere." "But, Nannie, what have I done that you should speak to me like this? You always used to take my part." "It's no part of yours I'll ever take again. Are you going?" "I only want to talk to you. If you'll only open the door I promise you I won't try to get in if you don't want me to." "I can have all the talk I want with you as we are. Will you be off?" "Won't you let me have one look at you, Nannie, and give you just one kiss?" "I'll have none of your kisses, and I never want to look at you again till you're lying in your coffin." "Nannie! there's something about the way you talk which I don't understand. It's not you to speak to me like this. I insist upon your opening the door. I don't believe Cuthbert Grahame ever told you not to--I know him too well to think that's possible. I shall keep on ringing and knocking till you do open, and so I tell you." "Then you'll keep on some time, I promise you that. I know what Mr. Cuthbert's orders are better than you. If I was to empty his gun at you I'd only do what he'd wish me to." "Nannie! But, Nannie, I've come all the way from London. It's a very long way, and costs a deal of money, and nowadays I haven't much money, as you know. You're not going to send me back like this." "Is it the fare back to London that you're wanting? If it's to beg you've come, I'll give you the fare out of my own pocket, so that Mr. Cuthbert may be rid of you in peace." This time in the girlish voice there was a ring of unmistakable indignation. "Nannie! you're a wicked old woman! I believe that you've some wicked scheme in your head of which Cuthbert Grahame knows nothing. You sound as if you were capable of anything. If you don't let me in this moment I'll get in without your help." "How are you going to do that, pray?" "Do you think I can't? I'll soon show you! If you think I'm still a foolish girl to be tyrannised over by you, you're very much mistaken. I won't believe that Cuthbert Grahame doesn't wish to see me till he tells me so with his own lips." CHAPTER XI HOT WATER