"Oh, I was only going to say—with my affairs. With me—I should be charmed," and Tom settled himself in the victoria.
He had, now he came to think of it, been really very much bored; and the little woman was quite a resource.
She rewarded his ironical gallantry with a look that told him she took it for what it was worth, but liked it all the same; and, after a pause, asked,
"And you see Mr. Dennison often?"
"Very seldom, on the contrary. I don't know what he does with himself."
"The poor man! He walks up and down. I hear him walking up and down."
"What does he do that for?"
"Ah! what? Well, he cannot be happy, can he?"
"Can't he?" said Tom, determined to understand nothing.
"You are very discreet," she said, with a malicious smile.