The chambermaid in the Granville household was a cousin of Dan, older by three years. She took a warm interest in Dan's welfare, though there was nothing but cousinly affection between them. Fresh from his interview with Mrs. Brent, Dan made his way to the kitchen.
“Well, Aggie,” he said, “I may have to say good-by soon.”
“What, Dan! You're not for lavin', are you?” asked Aggie, in surprise.
“Mrs. Brent has just given me notice,” answered Dan.
“Mrs. Brent! What business is it of her's, and how did it happen, anyway?”
“She thinks it's her business, and it's all on account of that stuck-up Philip.”
“Tell me about it, Cousin Dan.”
Dan did so, and wound up by repeating his young master's unfinished sentence.
“It's my belief,” he said, “that there's something between those two. If there wasn't, why is Mrs. Brent here?”
“Why, indeed, Dan?” chimed in Aggie. “Perhaps I can guess something.”
“What is it?”
“Never you mind. I'll only say I overheard Mrs. Brent one day speaking to Master Philip, but she didn't call him Philip.”
“What then?”
“JONAS! I'm ready to take my oath she called him Jonas.”
“Perhaps that is his real name. He may have it for his middle name.”
“I don't believe it. Dan, I've an idea. I'm going to see Mrs. Brent and make her think I know something. You see?”
“Do as you think best, Aggie. I told her I wouldn't take a dismissal from her.”
Mrs. Brent was in her own room. She was not a woman who easily forgave, and she was provoked with Dan, who had defied her authority. She knew very well that in dismissing him she had wholly exceeded her authority, but this, as may readily be supposed, did not make her feel any more friendly to the young gardener. Jonas artfully led her indignation.
“Dan doesn't have much respect for you, mother,” he said. “He doesn't mind you any more than he does a kitchen-girl.”
“He may find he has made a mistake,” said Mrs. Brent, a bright red spot in each cheek, indicating her anger. “He may find he has made a mistake in defying my authority.”
“I wouldn't stand it if I was you, ma.”
“I won't!” said Mrs. Brent decidedly, nodding vigorously and compressing her lips more firmly.
Soon after a knock was heard at Mrs. Brent's door.
“Come in!” she said in a sharp, incisive voice.
The door was opened and Aggie entered.
“What do you want of me, Aggie?” asked Mrs. Brent, in some surprise.
“I hear you've been tellin' Dan he'll have to go,” said the chambermaid.
“Yes,” answered Mrs. Brent, “but I fail to see what business it is of yours.”
“Dan's me cousin, ma'am.”
“That's nothing to me. He has been impertinent to Master Philip, and afterward to me.”
“I know all about it, ma'am. He told me.”
“Then you understand why he must leave. He will do well to be more respectful in his next place.”
“It wasn't his fault, ma'am, accordin' to what he told me.”
“No doubt!” sneered Mrs. Brent. “It is hardly likely that he would admit himself to be in fault.”
“Dan's a good, truthful boy, ma'am.”
“What did he tell you?”
The moment had come for Aggie's master-stroke, and she fixed her eyes keenly on Mrs. Brent to watch the effect of her words.
“He said he was at wor............