“Did you never hear Cowper’s line,” said he, quickly—
“‘We never shall know, if we never do try?’”
“I’m sure I’ve not the least objection to trying—nay, I’m much obliged to you for letting me—”
“Not with the house,” put in he, quite smartly.
“Of course not—how funny you are! But I haven’t the least idea about these things.”
“Your kind friend, Mrs. Cheerlove, can doubtless supply you with an idea or two—she has plenty of her own.”
“Oh, yes. Well then, Mrs. Cheerlove, what steps should you recommend?”
“Oh, it is a very simple affair. Tell Mr. Norris, the house-agent, that you want to let your house, furnished, for the autumn, at such a price; and that it can be seen at such and such hours. Or, if you prefer it, you can put up a bill.”
“Dear me, yes! I think I’ll do both! How clever you are! So practical!”
“Ah, Mrs. Cheerlove,” said Mr. Ringwood, with a shrug and a smile, “it’s we literary people who are the practical ones after all!”