They asked what was the matter.

The imp told them that the servant at Browndown had beaten him.
Lucilla was indignant.

She insisted on having the thing inquired into.
Oscar left her in the drawing-room (unluckily, as it turned out, without shutting the door); called the man up into the passage, and asked what he meant by ill-using the boy.

The man answered, 'I boxed his ears, sir, as an example to the rest of them.' 'What did he do ?' 'Rapped at the door, sir, with a stick (he is not the first who has done it when you are out); and asked if Blue Face was at home.' Lucilla heard every word of it, through the open door.

Need I tell you what happened next ?" It was quite needless to relate that part of the story.