“He said his children were persecuting him, that he had not had an hour's peace since their poor mother died.” “Fudge! Mother knew how to keep him in order. Do you remember when she threw the carving knife?” “Sally, for shame! How can you speak of poor mother so?” “You know it is true, Hypocrisy. There is no harm in coming to the point.” “It was very nearly coming to the point,” said Maggie, giggling. “Well, what else did he say?” “He said he didn't know what course he should adopt, but that things couldn't go on as they were; he thought he should write to Aunts Mary and Hester, and just as he was going out of the door he said that he'd prefer to sell the whole place up than continue living here and be the laughing-stock of the neighbourhood.” At these words all looked frightened, even Sally. She flaunted her head, however, and said disdainfully: “I wonder he didn't speak of marrying again.” “Did he say nothing more?” asked Maggie, who determined to know how matters stood. “He spoke of Sally; he said it must be put a stop to. I don't know what he has found out, but I am sure he has found out something.” “Why didn't you ask him?” “I did. He said the way you were carrying on with young Meason was something too disgraceful, and that every one was talking of it; he said that you had been seen crossing the canal locks, and that you had spent hours with him on the beach, and he spoke about the cart and Bamber--I don't know if you ever drove there to meet him; I couldn't get anything more out of him, for he began to cry.” “Didn't he speak of the party?” “Oh, yes, a great deal. He said that henceforth he would have none of the Southdown Road people, male or female, at the Manor House. I thought he was going to curse the Horlocks; but I reminded him of the Viceroys. As for the Measons, I don't know what he would have said if he hadn't been crying.” “The Measons are just as good as we are, though they mayn't be so rich. I should like to know who has been talking to him about me; I wonder who told him I spent hours on the beach with Jimmy; I met him once there quite by accident, and we sat down for ten minutes. I daresay it was Berkins.” “No, Sally, don't,” said Grace, clasping her hands. “Father said that Maggie was nearly as bad, and was a great deal too much disposed towards young men.” “I should think she is indeed; I wonder what father would say if he had seen her walking round the garden out of sight of every one with that fellow, a man she had never seen before.” “There is no harm in walking round the garden with a man, but I should like to know what father would say if he knew that you brought Jimmy up to your bed-room.”