His appearance was as oil poured upon troubled waters.
"What is the meaning of this?
What is the matter ?" demanded Lionel.
"Oh, sir, why don't you interfere to protect us, now things is come to this pass?
You be a Verner!" was the prayer of remonstrance from all sides that met his words.
"Give me an explanation," reiterated Lionel.

"What is the grievance ?" The particular grievance of this morning, however easy to explain, was somewhat difficult to comprehend, when twenty tongues were speaking at once--and those, shrill and excited ones.

In vain Lionel assured them that if one, instead of all, would tell it, he should understand it sooner; that if their tone were subdued, instead of loud enough to be heard yonder at the brick-fields, it might be more desirable.

Excited women, suffering under what they deem a wrong, cannot be made quiet; you may as well try to put down a rising flood.

Lionel resigned himself to his fate, and listened; and at this stage of the affair a new feature of it struck his eye and surprised him.