"Well, well, here we are. Isn't it time you all were in bed? Off with
you, like good boys and girls. Daddy won't be able to come up to see
that you're tucked in to-night. I'll say good night to you now.
Melissa, will you and Stokes come down to the library as soon as
you've got them to bed? And please tell the other nurse-maids to come
also. I don't happen to see them about anywhere. I suppose it is a
general night out. I have something important to say to you all.
Please be as spry as possible. I want to get it over with."
Half an hour later, Mr. Bingle received his servants in the library.
It was to be noted that his hair was smoothly brushed. With him in the
room was a young man who was recognised by a few of the servants as
Mr. Epps, a clerk from the lawyers' offices. From Diggs down to the
boy whose sole duty it was to feed the robins and squirrels in the
park--all were there, a curious and strangely depressed assemblage.
The master, in a quiet, unemotional voice at once stated the object of
the meeting. He had called them together for the purpose of giving
them the required two weeks' notice, and also to pay them in full
their wages up to the twentieth of the month.
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