After dinner, you may do as you
like about staying longer. We'll pay you well, and there's no
reason whatever why you shouldn't oblige us."
At first the Irishwoman looked a little intimidated at Bill's
manner and his gruff tones, but in a moment she flared up.
"I'll do nothin' of the sort! I'm left here in charge of this
place, an' here I'll shtay!"
"Is there no one else to guard the place?"
"Yis, there's the second gardener, an' the coachman. I cooks their
meals for them. The other servants is away for two days."
"Well, the second coachman and third gardener, or whatever their
numbers are, can cook for themselves to-night. You're going with
us,--see? With US,--NOW!"
"I'll not go, sor--" began Mrs. O'Brien, but Big Bill picked the
little woman up in his arms, as if she had been a child.
"This is a case of kidnapping a cook, Patty," he said. "I told you
I'd do it!"
Paying no attention to his struggling burden, Farnsworth pulled
shut the door of the Cartwrights' house, shook it to make sure it
closed with a snap lock, and then gently but firmly carried Mrs.
O'Brien to the motor-car.
"Take the driving seat, Patty," he directed, and, as she did so,
he deposited the cook in the seat beside her.
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