"Co-old?" cried the woman, with a little tremor. "Co-ld be damned. Us women is different from you blo-o-kes. We kin sta-and more cold. We got more warmth be na-ature."
"I see," said Strephon, and he blew forth a fat, contented cloud of cigarette smoke.
There was a silence, disturbed by the chattering of the woman's teeth. Then, at last, with a sudden catching of the breath, she spoke again—
"'Ere," she said, "'ere"—and she uttered the familiar creak—"I'm doin' this because I like you. Wonder if you like me?"
"Ho," reflected Strephon, "you're all right—considering what you are."
VII
ON THE PROPERTIES OF WATER
"Doctor ... can you tell me if water is a safe thing for anybody to drink?"
She was a wizened, alert little woman, having bright eyes and an eager face. The back of the doctor's neck, which I spied through my peephole, grew red under pressure of the secret emotions occasioned by this question.
"As to that," replied the doctor, "I—ahem—er—I—well, in fact—er—ahem—you see, er—Mrs.—Mrs.——"