“Do not be alarmed, ladies; I did not say libellous. God forgive me, it is not that. But it contains instructions about my daughter that cannot hold in the law. My daughter has done nothing deserving of censure; and it is utterly out of your power to eject her from her room. The notice to quit rests with my daughter--and it is my intention that it shall always so rest.” The younger woman sniffed: “Major,” said she, “no one wants to give Miss Betty a shade of trouble--but _you_ must leave at dark to-night----” “Madam, if I go, I go alone.” She nodded: “I’m sorry, Major; but if you don’t go, the drawing-room floor says she will leave--and others in the house are getting restless--and we cannot afford the loss.” The Major pondered upon the problem long. “Yes,” he said, “the drawing-room floor is serious--she is a woman of weight.” The landlady tittered. But the daughter frowned her to order, and said, somewhat to the point: “She pays her way handsomely.” The Major bowed and withdrew. He sang, _Sigh no more, ladies_, as he sallied up the stairs; and to the profound astonishment of the two puzzled women he did not stir from the house that day. When it was dark, a servant was sent upstairs to the Major to tell him that the cab stood at the door. “All right!” bawled the Major from within. An hour passed. The maid was again sent upstairs to tell the Major that the cab was waiting. “Let it wait,” cried the Major. Another hour passed. The cabman became unpleasant, and uttered obscene prose. The two ladies of the house, in support of each other, now went up the stairs and knocked. “Come in,” cried the Major gaily. They went in. He was in bed. The younger woman burst into tears: “There is nothing packed, ma,” she said. “What on earth have you been doing all day, Major Modeyne?” gasped the landlady. “Pitying the lady who has the drawing-room,” said the Major. “Why?” “I don’t know what on earth she will do!” said the Major. The younger woman bridled, sniffingly: “She won’t do anything,” she said hotly. “Ah,” said the Major--“just like me--just like me.” “Is it?” she said testily. “Well, we shall see. The cab has been waiting for you for two hours.” “Most patient cabman!” said the Major--“and who will pay the cabman, madam?” “We intend to accompany you and your baggage to that cab _now_,” said the young woman. “That you won’t,” said the Major--“for I haven’t a stitch on me; and here I stay in bed until your extremely tasteless letter of a week ago is formally withdrawn.... Good-night, ladies. Allow me to open the door for you----” He made as though to jump out of bed. The two women hurriedly left the room. They went to the drawing-room, knocked and entered, sat down on chairs and wept bitterly. The stout lady of that realm went and held their hands; soothed them; and heard their story out. “Wha--what are we to do, madam?” said they. The stout lady laughed until the tears came.