"Not much," said Johnny, meaning to be civil. "You don't like to be dull any more than I do."
"I like to be respectable, Mr. Eames. I always have been respectable, Mr. Eames." This the old woman said almost in a whisper, looking anxiously to see that the door had not been opened to other listening ears.
"I'm sure Mrs. Roper is very respectable."
"Yes; Mrs. Roper is respectable, Mr. Eames; but there are some here that— Hush-sh-sh!" And the old lady put her finger up to her lips. The door opened and Mrs. Lupex swam into the room.
"How d'ye do, Miss Spruce? I declare you're always first. It's to get a chance of having one of the young gentlemen to yourself, I believe. What's the news in the city to-day, Mr. Eames? In your position now of course you hear all the news."
"Sir Raffle Buffle has got a new pair of shoes. I don't know that for certain, but I guess it from the time it took him to put them on."
"Ah! now you're quizzing. That's always the way with you gentlemen when you get a little up in the world. You don't think women are worth talking to then, unless just for a joke or so."
"I'd a great deal sooner talk to you, Mrs. Lupex, than I would to Sir Raffle Buffle."
"It's all very well for you to say that. But we women know what such compliments as those mean;—don't we, Miss Spruce? A woman that's been married five years as I have—or I may say six,—doesn't expect much attention from young men. And though I was young when I married—young in years, that is,—I'd seen too much and gone through too much to be young in heart." This she said almost in a whisper; but Miss Spruce heard it, and was confirmed in her belief that Burton Crescent was no longer respectable.
"I don't know what you were then, Mrs. Lupex," said Eames; "but you're young enough now for anything."