at once."

"You have been wilfully interrupting me."

"I'm so sorry. I thought I had been making a series of rather
entertaining observations."

"Captain Parsons, what does your conscience say to you about Mary
Clibborn?"

James looked at Mrs. Jackson very coolly, and she never imagined with
what difficulty he was repressing himself.

"I thought you said your subject was of national concern. Upon my word,
I thought you proposed to hold a thanksgiving service in Little Primpton
Church for the success of the British arms."

"Well, you know different now," retorted Mrs. Jackson, with distinct
asperity. "I look upon your treatment of Mary Clibborn as a matter which
concerns us all."

"Then, as politely as possible, I must beg to differ from you. I really
cannot permit you to discuss my private concerns. You have, doubtless,
much evil to say of me; say it behind my back."

"I presumed that you were a gentleman, Captain Parsons."

"You certainly presumed."

"And I should be obliged if you would treat me like a lady."

James smiled. He saw that it was folly to grow angry.

"We'll do our best to be civil to one another, Mrs. Jackson. But I don't
think you must talk of what really is not your business."

"D'you think you can act shamefully and then slink away as soon as you
are brought to book? Do you know what you've done to Mary Clibborn?"

"Whatever I've done, you may be sure that I have not acted rashly.
Really, nothing you can say will make the slightest difference. Don't
you think we had better bring our conversation to an end?"

James made a movement towards the door.

"Your father and mother wish me to speak with you, Colonel Parsons,"
said Mrs. Jackson. "And they wish you to listen to what I have to say."

James paused. "Very well."

He sat down and waited. Mrs. Jackson felt unaccountably nervous; it had
never occurred to her that a mere soldier could be so hard to deal with,
and it was she who hesitated now. Jamie's stern eyes made her feel
singularly like a culprit; but she cleared her throat and straightened
herself.

"It's very sad," she said, "to find how much we've been mistaken in you,
Captain Parsons. When we were making all sorts of preparations to
welcome you, we never thought that you would repay us like this. It
grieves me to have to tell you that you have done a very wicked thing. I
was hoping that your conscience would have something to say to you, but
unhappily I was mistaken. You