the corner."

"I did, ma'am," said Wiggleswick.

Zora looked down at the point of her umbrella on the floor. Having no
reason to disbelieve Wiggleswick's circumstantial though entirely
fictitious story, and having by the smile put herself at a disadvantage,
she felt uncomfortably routed.

"Your master never told you where he was going or how long he was likely to
be away?" she asked.

"My master, ma'am," replied Wiggleswick, "never knows where he is going.
That's why he wants a wife who can tell him."

Zora rose and looked around her. Then, with a sweep of her umbrella
indicating the general dustiness and untidiness of the room:

"The best thing you can do," said she, "is to have the house thoroughly
cleaned and put in order. They may be back any day. I'll send in a
charwoman to help you."

"Thank you, ma'am," said Wiggleswick, somewhat glumly. Although he had lied
volubly to her for his own ends, he stood in awe of her commanding
personality, and never dreamed of disregarding her high behests. But he had
a moral disapproval of work. He could see no nobility in it, having done so
much enforced labour in his time.

"Do you think we need begin now, ma'am?" he asked anxiously.