"I heard Mrs. Lintern tell you she was your brother's mistress. I heard her tell you her children was also his." "And you're scourged for knowing it. Let that be a lesson to you, woman." "That's only the beginning. I ban't scourged for that. I'm scourged because I've let it out again." "I'm shocked at you," he answered. "Yes, I'm very much shocked at you; but I'm not at all surprised. I knew as sure as I knew anything that 'twould out. The Lord chooses His own time and His own tool. But that don't make your sin smaller. You're a wicked woman." "I've signed the pledge, however, and not another drop----" "How many of 'em did you tell?" "But one. Of course, I chose the man with the longest tongue. Jack Head saw me up the hill after closing time and--there 'twas--I had to squeak. But I made him swear as solemn as he knowed how that he wouldn't." "He's not what he was. We had a proper row a month ago. I doubt if he'll ever speak to me again. And until he makes a humble apology for what he spoke, I won't hear him." "He swore he wouldn't tell." "Be that as it may, it will be known. It's started and it won't stop." They talked for two hours upon the problems involved in these facts. Then there came a knock at the door and Susan went to answer it. Mr. Baskerville heard a protracted mumble and finally, after some argument, Mrs. Hacker shut the door and returned into the kitchen with a man. It was Jack himself. He explained the reason for his unduly late visit. He was anxious and troubled. He spoke without his usual fluency. "I didn't come to see you," he said. "I waited till 'twas past your hour for going to bed. But knowing that Mrs. Hacker was always later, I thought to speak to her. However, nothing would do but I came in, and here I be." "I'll have nought to say to you, Head--not a single word--until you make a solemn apology for your infernal impudence last time you stood here afore me," said the master of Hawk House, surveying his visitor. "So Susan tells me, and so I will then," replied Jack. "So solemn as ever you like. You was right and I was wrong, and I did ought to have been kicked from here to Cosdon Beacon and back for what I said to you. We'm always punished for losing of our tempers. And I was damn soon punished for losing mine, as you shall hear. But first I confess that I was wrong and ax you, man to man, to forgive me." "Which I will do, and here's my hand on it," said the other. The old men shook hands and Susan wept. Her emotion was audible and Humphrey told her to go to bed. She refused. "I'm in this," she said. "'Tis all my wicked fault from beginning to end, and I'm going to hear it out. I shall weep my eyes blistered afore morning." "Don't begin now, then. If you're going to stop here, be silent," said Humphrey. She sniffed, wiped her face, and then fetched a black bottle, some drinking water, and two glasses.