'But it is silver, and I cannot afford to lose it; I am for ever losing them.'
'You may be more fortunate with this, for it is a present.'
'Oh—thank you—thank you; it is a beautiful thimble. I shall be very choice of it.'
'Because it is silver?' and James looked at her with rather a meaning glance.
'Oh, no, not altogether; to be sure I should be sorry to lose this, because—because it is more valuable,'—and seeing James beginning to color—'it is not only silver, but it is a keepsake.'
All this passed in a tone that could not be heard amidst the din which Edward and his customers kept up.
'I have news to tell you, likewise, and was on the point of walking to your house to let you know that the owner of that building near you, and about which there has been so much curiosity, is expected to arrive to-day.'
'Then you have known who was the owner?'
'I suppose I may as well confess it.'
'And never told us?'