“And is not there somebody else?”
“Yes, lately there has been.”
“And do you know his name?”
“Certainly—Mr. Gatliffe.”
“You’ve been given to understand. Now tell me plainly. This Mr. Gatliffe is living with her not as a lodger but as—Well, you know what I mean, you are a woman of the world, Mrs. Mumms. Please answer me truly.”
“I shouldn’t like to say, sir. It aint no business of mine. There’s a good many couple a living together as aint man and wife, but that’s nobody’s business but their two selves. They both on ’em act on the square as far as I’m concerned, and there’s no call for me to round on ’em.”
“A very proper observation on your part. I wish everyone had your discretion, Mrs. Mumms; but you need not be afraid of speaking frankly to me. I know they are living together without your telling me so, and you know it.”
“S’pose I do, what of that? He’s a fine honourable young fellow as ever stepped in shoe leather, and everybody likes him.”
“That is true enough, but he is not there always—only occasionally.”
“No, he’s not always there; but I do hope and trust that you don’t intend him any harm.”