"Like enough," said John Crumb in a low voice.
"She's that mad after dancing as never was," said Mrs. Pipkin.
"And where is it as 'em dances?" asked Crumb, getting up from his chair, and stretching himself. It was evident to both the ladies that he was beginning to think that he would follow Ruby to the music hall. Neither of them answered him, however, and then he sat down again. "Does 'em dance all night at them places, Mrs. Pipkin?"
"They do pretty nearly all that they oughtn't to do," said Mrs. Pipkin. John Crumb raised one of his fists, brought it down heavily on the palm of his other hand, and then again sat silent for awhile.
"I never knowed as she was fond o' dancing," he said. "I'd a had dancing for her down at Bungay,—just as ready as anything. D'ye think, ma'am, it's the dancing she's after, or the baro-nite?" This was another appeal to Mrs. Hurtle.
"I suppose they go together," said the lady.
Then there was another long pause, at the end of which poor John Crumb burst out with some violence. "Domn him! Domn him! What 'ad I ever dun to him? Nothing! Did I ever interfere wi' him? Never! But I wull. I wull. I wouldn't wonder but I'll swing for this at Bury!"
"Oh, Mr. Crumb, don't talk like that," said Mrs. Pipkin.
"Mr. Crumb is a little disturbed, but he'll get over it presently," said Mrs. Hurtle.
"She's a nasty slut to go and treat a young man as she's treating you," said Mrs. Pipkin.