"Was he, Jenny?"
"Quite! The men in his company loved him—a captain he was then. He always looked after their dinner. A bit strict, too, but they don't mind that."
Jenny was busy with Stella Croyle's hair; and the result satisfied her.
"There won't be anybody else to-night, madam," she said.
"Won't there, Jenny?" said Mrs. Croyle, incredulously. "There'll be Miss Whitworth."
Jenny Prask sniffed disdainfully.
"Miss Whitworth! A fair sight I call her, madam, if I may say so. I never did see such clothes! And how she keeps a maid for more than a week beats me altogether. What I say, madam, is those who button in front when they should hook behind are a fair washout."
Stella laughed.
"I'm afraid that you'll find, Jenny, that Miss Whitworth will hook behind to-night."
Jenny went on unaffected by the rejoinder. She had her little item of news to contribute to the contentment of her mistress.