"I don't know what he'll bet, Mr. Moulder; only he says it's all up with her."
"Will he back his side, even handed?"
"I ain't a betting man, Mr. Moulder. I don't think it's right. And on such a matter as this, touching the liberty and almost life of a lady whom I've had the honour of seeing, and acquainted as I am with the lady of the other party, Mrs. Mason that is of Groby Park, I should rather, if it's no offence to you, decline the subject of—betting."
"Bother!"
"Now M., in your own house, you know!" said his wife.
"So it is bother. But never mind that. Go on, Kantwise. What is this you were saying about Dockwrath?"
"Oh, that's about all. I thought you would like to know what they were doing,—particularly Mr. Kenneby. I do hear that they mean to be uncommonly hard upon him."
The unfortunate witness shifted uneasily in his seat, but at the moment said nothing himself.
"Well, now, I can't understand it," said Mrs. Smiley, sitting upright in her chair, and tackling herself to the discussion as though she meant to express her opinion, let who might think differently. "How is any one to put words into my mouth if I don't choose to speak then? There's John's waistcoat is silk." Upon which they all looked at Kenneby's waistcoat, and, with the exception of Kantwise, acknowledged the truth of the assertion.
"That's as may be," said he, looking round at it from the corner of his eyes.