They actually declared that her daughter had been seen going about with Sir Peter in the most open and shameless manner, ever since she had been left to her own devices.
Well, Mrs.Wilcox could disprove _that_ by the irrefragable logic of facts.
It was high time something should be done.

Her plan was to go quietly and call on Miss Batchelor, and mention the facts in a casual way.

She would not mention Sir Peter.
So with the idea of Sir Peter in her head and a letter from Molly in her pocket, Mrs.Wilcox called on Miss Batchelor.

There was nothing extraordinary in that, for the ladies were in the habit of exchanging half-yearly visits, and Mrs.Wilcox was about due.
She stood a little bit in awe of a woman who took up all sorts of dreadful subjects as easily as you take up an acquaintance, and had such works as "The Principles of Psychology" lying about as the light literature of her drawing-room table.

But Miss Batchelor was much more nervous than her visitor, therefore Mrs.Wilcox had the advantage at once.
She knew perfectly well what she was going to do.