“I’m sorry I’m late,” she said, with an indifference that belied her words; “I went further than I thought.” Baldwin contracted his brow until the pepper-coloured tufts above his eyes pointed straight towards her; but he remained silent and Keturah merely sulked. Inman looked steadily into his wife’s face and said: “It isn’t just a question of being late. There’s your share of the work to do, and Keturah says you’re leaving it all to her——” Before he could finish the reproof or Nancy could reply Keturah’s resolution gave way, and raising her apron to her eyes she broke in—— “What’s t’ use o’ talking about me? I’m just my lady’s servant, to fetch and carry for her from t’ time she gets up in a morning to when she lays her down at night. I knew what it ’ud be, well I did, when Baldwin said we mud all live together, for if I don’t know her fine-lady ways ’at’s brought her up from a child I’d like to know who does. But it’s come to a nice pass when one o’ my years, and ’at’s been a mother to her, has to be her slavey.” Baldwin pushed back his chair with a hasty exclamation. “Slavey be ——!” He used an expression that was not fit for the women’s ears, and followed it up with the usual succession of spluttered oaths; until Inman whose vexation had not been deep and was rapidly changing to contempt took advantage of a lull caused by the older man’s choking to remark coolly: “There’s no need to talk about slaveys or anything of the sort; and there’s no need to spill either water or—aught else over the job. Nancy’s made a mistake that she won’t repeat——” Nancy had drawn a chair up to the table, but the space in front of her was empty, for Baldwin was too excited to serve her; and at her husband’s words she threw back her head. Inman fixed an eye of steel upon her. “That she won’t repeat,” he said again with slow emphasis, and Nancy’s lip curled though she remained silent. “It’s right that there should be a fair division of labour, and Nancy’ll do her share——” Baldwin’s face had been working strangely during this judicial delivery and he now seized the carving knife and brought the handle down upon the table with such vehemence that Keturah screamed. “And who the devil are you to lay down the law same as you were master and I was man? A nice pass, as Keturah says, if we’ve to be set i’ wer places i’ wer own house. For two pins I’ll bundle you both out, neck and crop. A man ’at can’t make his wife toe t’ line isn’t fit to be wed; but you’re not going to lord it over me, if Keturah cares to sup all Nancy gives her. You’re sadly too ready, young man, with your wills and your won’ts, as I’ve told you before; and I’m beginning to be sorry I ever set eyes on you, for there’s been t’ devil to pay ever since.”