Before they could reach the top of the stairs, they heard a scuffling hurrying sound of heavy footsteps on the floor above them, and on the landing met Mr.Whitelaw and his unknown friend; face to face.
"What's the matter ?" asked the farmer sharply, looking angrily at the two scared faces.
"That's just what we want to know," his wife answered.

"Who was it that screamed just now?
Who's been hurt ?" "My friend stumbled against a step in the passage yonder, and knocked his shin.

He cried out a bit louder than he need have done, if that's what you mean, but not loud enough to cause all this fuss.

Get downstairs again, you two, and keep quiet.

I've no patience with such nonsense; coming flying upstairs as if you'd both gone mad." "It was not your friend's voice we heard," Ellen answered resolutely; "it was a woman's cry.