“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 work in the garden, ma’am, when Master Jonas——­”

“What!” exclaimed Mrs. Brent, staring at the girl in dismay.

“He was at work in the garden, ma’am when Master Jonas——­”

“What do you mean, girl?  Who is Master Jonas?” asked Mrs. Brent, trying to conceal her agitation.

“Did I say Jonas, ma’am.  La, what could I be thinking of?  Of course I mean Master Philip.”

“What should have put the name of Jonas into your head?” demanded Mrs. Brent nervously.

“I must have heard it somewhere,” said Aggie, with a quick, shrewd look out of the corner of her eyes.  “Well, Dan just asked the young master a civil question, and Master Philip, he snapped him up rude-like.  Mrs. Brent I think you’d better not make any fuss about Dan.  It wasn’t so much his fault as the fault of Master Jonas—­oh, dear!  I beg pardon, I mean Master Philip.”

“Don’t repeat that ridiculous name again, Aggie!” said Mrs. Brent.  “Your young master has nothing to do with it.  You ought to know that his name is Philip.”

“I should say so!” broke in Jonas.  “I ain’t goin’ to be called out of my name!”

“As to Dan,” proceeded Mrs. Brent.  “I am willing to overlook his impertinence this time.  I won’t say a word to Mr. Granville, but he must be more careful hereafter.”

“I’m sure I’m obliged to you, ma’am,” said Aggie demurely.