G.REDMAIN." Mary went to her desk and wrote a reply, saying she would be with him the next morning about eleven o'clock.

She would have gone that same night, she said, but, as it was Saturday, she could not, because of country customers, close in time to go so far.
"Give it into Mr.Redmain's own hand, if you can, Jemima," she said.
"I will try; but I doubt if I can, miss," answered the girl.
"Between ourselves, Jemima," said Mary, "I do not trust that man Mewks." "Nobody does, miss, except the master and Miss Yolland." "Then," thought Mary, "the thing is worse than I had supposed." "I'll do what I can, miss," Jemima went on.

"But he's so sharp!--Mr.
Mewks, I mean." After she was gone, Mary wished she had given her a verbal message; that she might have insisted on delivering in person.
Jemima, with circumspection, managed to reach Mr.Redmain's room unencountered, but just as she knocked at the door, Mewks came behind her from somewhere, and snatching the letter out of her hand, for she carried it ready to justify her entrance to the first glance of her irritable master, pushed her rudely away, and immediately went in.

But as he did so he put the letter in his pocket.
"Who took the note ?" asked his master.
"The girl at the lodge, sir." "Is she not come back yet ?" "No, sir, not yet.

She'll be in a minute, though.