The children and Meg gone, Hannah led the way into the kitchen with an air of great mystery; but she did not shut the doors, as Anne Chitt was busy upstairs. "What is it, Hannah?" Jan asked nervously, for she saw that this summons portended something serious. "It's about Miss Morton I want to speak, Miss Jan. I was in hopes she'd never wear they play-acting claes down here ..." (when Hannah was deeply earnest she always became very Scotch), "but it seems I hoped in vain. And what am I to say to ither folk when they ask me about her?" "What is there to say, Hannah, except that she is my dear friend, and by her own wish is acting as nurse to my sister's children?" "I ken that; I'm no sayin' a word against that; but first of all she goes and crops her hair--fine hair she had too, though an awfu-like colour--and not content with flying in the face of Providence that way, she must needs dress like a servant. And no a weiss-like servant, either, but one o' they besoms ye see on the hoardings in London wha act in plays. Haven't I seen the pictures mysel'? 'The Quaker Gerrl,' or some such buddy." "Oh, I assure you, Hannah, Miss Morton in no way resembles those ladies, and I can't see that it's any business of ours what she wears. You know that she certainly does what she has undertaken to do in the best way possible." "I'm no saying a word against her wi' the children, and there never was a young lady who gave less trouble, save in the way o' tobacco ash, and was more ready to help--but yon haverals is very difficult to explain. _You_ may understand, Miss Jan. I may _say_ I understand--though I don't--but who's to make the like o' that Anne Chitt understand? Only this morning she keeps on at me wi' her questions like the clapper o' a bell. 'Is she a servant? If she's no, why does she wear servants' claes? Why does she have hair like a boy? Has she had a fever or something wrong wi' her heid? Is she one of they suffragette buddies and been in prison?'--till I was fair deeved and bade the lassie hold her tongue. But so it will be wherever Miss Morton goes in they fantastic claes. Now, Miss Jan, tell me the honest truth--did you ever see a self-respecting, respectable servant in the like o' yon? Does she _look_ like any servant you've ever heard tell of out of a stage-play?" "Not a bit, Hannah; she looks exactly like herself, and therefore not in the least like any other person. Don't you worry. Miss Morton requires no explanation. All we must do is to see that she doesn't overwork herself." "Then ye'll no speak to her, Miss Jan?" "Not I, Hannah. Why should I dictate to her as to what she wears? She doesn't dictate to me."