Mrs. Howell was the housekeeper, that dignified, creaking lady who had struck such terror to the heart of Lady Coote. She had no terrors for Bundle, whom, indeed, she always called Miss Bundle, a relic of the days when Bundle had stayed at Chimneys, a long-legged, impish child, before her father had succeeded to the title.

“Now, Howelly,” said Bundle, “let’s have a cup of rich cocoa together, and let me hear all the household news.”

She gleaned what she wanted without much difficulty, making mental notes as follows:

“Two new scullery maids⁠—village girls⁠—doesn’t seem much there. New third housemaid⁠—head housemaid’s niece. That sounds all right. Howelly seems to have bullied poor Lady Coote a good deal. She would.”

“I never thought the day would come when I should see Chimneys inhabited by strangers, Miss Bundle.”