‘What is preposterous?’
‘The word is preposterous and not prosperous—“this preposterous mine.”’
‘Frank!’ She turned her face away.
‘Never mind, dear! What’s the odds?’
‘O Frank, our first investment—our fifty pounds! And to think that I should have kept the paper as a surprise for you!’
‘Well, the print is a little slurred, and it was a very natural mistake. After all, the paper may be wrong. Oh don’t, Maude, please don’t! It’s not worth it—all the gold on the earth is not worth it. There’s a sweet girlie! Now, are you better? Oh, damn those open curtains!’
A tall and brisk young man with a glossy hat was coming through the garden. An instant later Jemima had ushered him in.
‘Hullo, Harrison!’
‘How do you do, Crosse? How are you, Mrs. Crosse?’
‘How do you do? I’ll just order tea if you will excuse me.’