Her husband's mention of that poor wretch caused Lottie to bristle. "Bill!" she scolded, but then she remembered he wasn't here when that all happened.

"Bill, Anne Ward never stayed last night. After ye left, Ben came ta collect her," Her nostrils flared and her voice became hard at the remembrance. She was not sad, she was angry. "That.. that... man," she said with emphasis on the 'man' "struck that poor girl with the back of his hand... in my house! and then dragged 'er away. I swear, if 'e sets foot in this 'ouse again.. I 'ope yer proud of yerself, ye and all men."