"Of course he will if he hears nothing about you. I think I'd better tell him. I know what would happen."
"What would happen, Mrs. Hurtle?"
"He'd be up in town again in half a jiffey to see what sort of a place you'd got. Now, Ruby, I'll tell you what I'll do, if you'll say the word. I'll have him up here at once and you shan't go to Mrs. Buggins'." Ruby dropped her hands and stood still, staring at Mrs. Hurtle. "I will. But if he comes you mustn't behave this time as you did before."
"But I'm to go to Mrs. Buggins' to-morrow."
"We'll send to Mrs. Buggins and tell her to get somebody else. You're breaking your heart about going there;—are you not?"
"I don't like it, Mrs. Hurtle."
"And this man will make you mistress of his house. You say he isn't good at speaking; but I tell you I never came across an honester man in the whole course of my life, or one who I think would treat a woman better. What's the use of a glib tongue if there isn't a heart with it? What's the use of a lot of tinsel and lacker, if the real metal isn't there? Sir Felix Carbury could talk, I dare say, but you don't think now he was a very fine fellow."
"He was so beautiful, Mrs. Hurtle!"
"But he hadn't the spirit of a mouse in his bosom. Well, Ruby, you have one more choice left you. Shall it be John Crumb or Mrs. Buggins?"
"He wouldn't come, Mrs. Hurtle."