branched into the various passages forming the upper part of the
house. Willy's room was precise and grave, and there everything was
held under lock and key. He put the brown paper parcel on the table;
he took off his coat and laid it on the bed, heaving, at the same
time, a sigh.

"Did you notice if the quarter-to-seven has been signalled?"

"Yes, but don't keep on worrying; the train is coming along the
embankment."

"Then there will be a row to-night."

"Why?"

"Sally told cook to keep the dinner back; she has gone down the slonk
to speak to Meason."

"Why didn't you tell cook that she must take her orders from you and
no one else?"

"So I did, but Sally said I was no more mistress here than she was. I
said Grace had given me charge of the house, when she could not attend
to it; but Sally will listen to no one, she'll drive father out of his
mind. There's no one he hates like the Measons."

"What is the matter with Grace? Where is she?"

"She's in her room, lying on the bed crying. She says she wants to
die; she says that she doesn't care what becomes of her. She'll never