'What do you mean by that, Mrs. Byass?' he asked, sharply. 'When
_what_ happens? What are you hinting at?'
'Bless us and save us!' cried Bessie. 'Here, Sam, he's going to
swallow me. What harm have I done?'
'Please tell me what you meant?' Sidney urged, his face expressing
strong annoyance. 'Why do you call me a "cool hand," and say that "I
know how to wait"? What did you mean? I'm serious; I want you to
explain.'
Whilst he was speaking there came a knock at the kitchen door.
Bessie cried, 'Come in,' and Jane showed herself; she glanced in a
startled way at Sidney, murmured a 'good-evening' to him, and made a
request of Bessie for some trifle she needed. Sidney, after just
looking round, kept his seat and paid no further attention to Jane,
who speedily retired.
Silence followed, and in the midst of it Kirkwood pushed his chair
impatiently.
'Bess,' cried Samuel, with an affected jocoseness, 'you're called
upon to apologise. Don't make a fool of yourself again.'
'I don't see why he need be so snappish with me,' replied his wife.
'I beg his pardon, if he wants me.'
But Sidney was laughing now, though not in a very natural way.
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