human
There's your master, said Mrs. Coppersley, pointing to the dead,
gpt
I have not even touched the body, she confessed with a shudder.
human
Tunks, were you about the house last night?
gpt
No, miss, said the man, looking more scared than ever.
human
I went home nigh on seven o'clock, and was with my granny all the evening. I know nothing about this, miss.
gpt
I don't suppose you do, rejoined the girl tartly,
human
I left the house last night at the same time as you, ma'am, said Tunks, addressing himself to the housekeeper.
gpt
You locked the back door after me.
human
Yes, acknowledged Mrs. Coppersley promptly,
gpt
No, I didn't, retorted the gypsy sullenly.
human
You went on to Marshely, and I got back home. I never came near this house again until this morning. You can ask my granny if I wasn't in bed early last night.
gpt
When did you see your master last?
human
It would be about six, just before I had my tea. He wanted to reduce my wages, too, and I said I'd give him notice if he did. But I suppose, growled Tunks, with his eyes on the remains,
gpt
Never you mind bothering about yourself, cried Mrs. Coppersley sharply.
human
Go to Marshely, and tell the policeman to come here. Bella, she moved to the door,
gpt
Will the truth ever be known?
human
Of course, retorted the elder woman,
gpt
I don't know so much about that, Aunt Rosamund. You and Tunks were away, and I was locked in my room, so anyone could enter, and----
human
Did _you_ see anyone?
gpt
No, she replied, with unnecessary loudness;
human
Drugged, miss?
gpt
How dare you linger here? she cried.
human
You should be half way to the village by this time. Miss Bella was having wakeful nights, and her father gave her a sleeping draught. Off with you,
gpt
Why did you tell such a lie?
human
A lie! a lie! Mrs. Coppersley placed her arms akimbo and looked defiant.
gpt
Why do you call it a lie? You _did_ complain of sleepless nights, and you did say that the tea, poured out by Jabez, was drugged.
human
That is true enough, admitted the girl quietly,
gpt
Oh! interrupted Mrs. Coppersley, tossing her head.
human
What does it matter. I can't even say if the tea was drugged.
gpt
I'll learn that soon, replied Bella drily,
human
The least said the soonest mended, Bella. Say nothing of the drugging at the inquest, as there is no need to blacken your father's character.
gpt
I don't see that anything I could say would blacken my father's character, Aunt Rosamund. Of course, he had no business to drug me, but if I am asked at the inquest I shall tell the truth.
human
And so your connection with that Lister person will come out.
gpt
What do I care? she cried, stamping.
human
I have a right to marry him if I choose, and I don't care if all the world knows how I love him. In fact, the whole world soon will know.
gpt
Well, said Mrs. Coppersley, with an air of washing her hands of the entire affair,
human
Why should I find myself in an unpleasant position? she demanded.
gpt
Do you accuse me of murdering father?
human
God forbid! God forbid! cried Mrs. Coppersley piously and with a shudder,
gpt
And locked in my bedroom, as you can testify.
human
Oh, I'll say that willingly. But you'd better wash out that cup of dregs, and say nothing more.
gpt
I have already mentioned the matter in Tunks' hearing, so I must explain further if necessary. But I'll say why I believe my father acted so. Your story of sleepless nights will not do for me.
human
You'll blacken the memory of the dead, groaned Mrs. Coppersley dismally.
gpt
Ah, you never loved your poor father.
human
Did you?
gpt
In a way I did, and in a way I didn't, said her aunt evasively.
human
Jabez never was the brother he should have been to me. But a daughter's nearer than a sister, and you should have loved him to distraction.
gpt
In spite of the way he behaved to me.
human
He had to keep a firm hand over your high spirit.
gpt
Aunt Rosamund, burst out Bella at white heat.
human
Why do you talk in this silly way? You know that both to you and to me my father acted like a cruel tyrant, and that while he was alive we could do nothing to please him. I don't want to speak ill of the dead, but you know what I say is true.
gpt
We are none of us perfect, snuffled Mrs. Coppersley, wiping her eyes,
human
Don't talk of happiness with that --Bella pointed downward to the study--
gpt
So like Jabez, so very like Jabez, wailed Mrs. Coppersley, while Bella fled up the stairs.
human
He always brought trouble on everyone. Even as a little boy, he behaved like the pirate he was. Oh, dear me, how ill I feel. Bella! Bella! come down and see me faint. Bella! Bella!