Mr. and Mrs. Ring, there isn't a lady nor gentleman in the house. That
Mason is so rudely familiar that I cannot bear to come near him. He's
making himself quite intimate with Henry already, and I don't like to see
it."

"Nor do I," replied Mrs. Darlington. "Henry's been out with him twice to
the theatre already."

"I'm afraid of his influence over Henry. He's not the kind of a companion
he ought to choose," said Edith. "And then Mr. Barling is with Miriam in
the parlor almost every evening. He asks her to sing, and she says she
doesn't like to refuse."

The mother sighed deeply. While they were conversing, a servant came to
their room to say that Mr. Ring was in the parlor, and wished to speak with
Mrs. Darlington. It was late in the afternoon of the day on which the
Scraggs had made their appearance.

With a presentiment of trouble, Mrs. Darlington went down to the parlor.

"Madam," said Mr. Ring, as soon as she entered, speaking in a firm voice,
"I find that my wife has been grossly insulted by a fellow whose family you
have taken into your house. Now they must leave here, or we will, and that
forthwith."

"I regret extremely," replied Mrs. Darlington, "the unpleasant occurrence
to which you allude; but I do not see how it is possible for me to turn
these people out of the house."

"Very well, ma'am. Suit yourself about that. You can choose between us.