CHAPTER IX 

FOILED 

"We seem to be just in time, Mr. Hurd," Wilhelmina said. "Do you mind coming back for a moment into your study? Mr. Macheson and I have something to say to you." 

He glanced at his watch. He was wholly unable to conceal his annoyance at their appearance. 

"I am afraid," he said, with strained civility, "that I can only spare a couple of minutes." 

"You are going to town?" she asked, as he reluctantly followed her. 

"Yes!" he answered. "Mr. White wished to see me early to-morrow morning about the new leases, and I have to go before the committee about this Loughborough water scheme." 

"These are my affairs," she said, "so if you should miss your train, the responsibility will be mine." 

"I can spare five minutes," he answered, "but I cannot miss that train. I have some private engagements. And, madam," he continued, struggling with his anger, "I beg that you will not forget that even if I am in your employ, this is my house, and I will not have that man in it!" 

He pointed to Macheson, who was standing upon the threshold. Wilhelmina stood between the two. 

"Mr. Hurd," she said, "please control yourself. There is no reason why we should any of us quarrel. Mr. Macheson and I are here to speak to you of a matter in which he has become concerned. I asked him to come here with me. We have come to see you about Letty!" 

"What about her?" he demanded, with some attempt at bravado. 
Who asked Mr. Macheson to come with her?
Who had they come to see Mr. Hurd about?
Was Mr. Hurd very patient?
What was he attempting to show?
Was he able to conceal his annoyance at Wilhelmina and Macheson?
How many minutes did he declare he could spare?
With what type of civility did he say it?
Where was Mr. Hurd trying to go?
Who wanted to see him there?
When?
Regarding what?
Was he expected to speak before a group of people?
About what?
What did Mr. Hurd insist he didn't want to miss?
Is Mr. Hurd in Wilhelmina's employ?
Is it her house?
What man doesn't he want in it?
Where was he standing?
And Wilhelmina?
Is there any reason for any of them to quarrel?
Wilhelmina
Wilhelmina said. "Do you mind coming back for a moment into your study? Mr. Macheson and I 
Letty
We have come to see you about Letty
no
He was wholly unable to conceal his annoyance
bravado
with some attempt at bravado
no
He was wholly unable to conceal his annoyance
five
I can spare five minutes
strained civility
with strained civility
to town
You are going to town?" she asked, as he reluctantly followed her. 

"Yes!
Mr. White
Mr. White wished to see me
early to-morrow morning
wished to see me early to-morrow morning
the new leases
about the new leases
yes
 I have to go before the committee
the Loughborough water scheme
 go before the committee about this Loughborough water scheme
the train
but I cannot miss that train
yes
even if I am in your employ
no
this is my house
Macheson
I will not have that man in it!" 

He pointed to Macheson
upon the threshold
Macheson, who was standing upon the threshold
between the two
Wilhelmina stood between the two
no
There is no reason why we should any of us quarrel.