"We have come for you." "May I speak with Miss Brant ?" asked Mr.Bright courteously, as they stepped into the narrow hall.
Before Mabel had time to answer, a tall, raw-boned woman, with a hard, forbidding face, shoved her aside and confronted them.

It was Miss Brant herself.
"Well, what do you want ?" she said rudely.
"Good afternoon," said Mr.Bright courteously.

"Am I speaking to Miss Brant ?" "I guess likely you are," responded the woman, "and you better state your business now, for I've no time to fool away on strangers." "You have a young girl with you by the name of Mabel Allison, have you not ?" asked Mr.Bright.
"Yes, I have.

What's the matter with her?
Has she been gettin' into mischief?
If she has, I'll tan her hide," said Miss Brant, with a threatening gesture.
"On the contrary," replied Mr.Bright, "I hear very good reports of her.
Has she lived with you long ?" "That's none of your business," snapped Miss Brant.

"If you've come here to quiz me and pry around about her, you can get right out, for I'm not answering any fool questions." "I will not trouble you with further questions," replied Mr.Bright, "but will proceed at once to business.