"Nobody asks you to make mischief, Maria; but if you have seen peculations, or matters connected with the housekeeping going wrong during your master's illness, it is your duty to speak." "Yes, ma'am, but it wasn't anything of that sort." "Then what was it?" said Aunt Anne judicially. "And I'd be the last to speak, ma'am, knowing how valuable a character is to a poor person; and well I know how easy it is to make mistakes and be deceived, especially about such matters as that." "Maria, I insist. Why do you wish your master to be better?" "Oh, of course, I want to see him quite well, ma'am, for though a bit 'arsh, a better master--" "What other reason, Maria?" "Well, ma'am, if I must speak, it is because I shall be glad when master's down again, and nurse is gone." "Nurse? Stop a moment. She attended you at the hospital?" "Oh, yes, ma'am," said Maria, in a peculiar tone, which suggested neglect, ill-treatment, and all kinds of unfeminine behaviour; "she attended me. I was in her ward." "Well?" "Oh, that's all, ma'am." "It is not all, Maria, and I desire that you speak." "I don't like to see a woman like that attending master." "It was the doctor's orders, Maria." "So I s'pose, ma'am. I heard that Sir Denton sent her down. He thinks a deal of her. You see he's a very old gentleman, ma'am, and she flatters him, and makes believe to be very attentive, and she was always just the same to Mr Neil, ma'am. I was a-lying there in pain and suffering and affliction sore, but I couldn't help using my eyes, and I saw a great deal." "Maria!" "Oh, it's a fact, ma'am, and if I'd gone on as she did talking to the young doctors, I should never have expected to keep no place; but of course a head nurse is different to a hupper 'ousemaid." "That will do, Maria," said Aunt Anne. "I cannot listen to such scandalous tattle. I have no doubt about its being all imagination on your part." "I only wish it was, ma'am, I'm sure." "It's only a temporary arrangement, of course; and now, I wanted to speak to you about several little pieces of neglect I have observed that must not occur again. I know you have been ill, but it is quite time that you were a little more attentive, especially as we are about to have company." "Company, ma'am?" "Yes; the Miss Lydons will be here to dinner on Friday, and they will stay the night, so I desire that their rooms are properly prepared before they come, and of course, as they will not bring their maid you will wait upon them." "Yes, ma'am; I'll do my very best, and I hope--" "That will do, Maria." "But there was one thing I should like to tell you, ma'am." Aunt Anne was burning with curiosity, but she raised her hand. "Not another word, Maria. You know I never listen to the servants' tattle. Now go about your work."