"She's the first person—" began 'Bias, and came to a halt. "Does that matter," he asked, "so long as I describe the parties pretty accurate?"
"Not a bit," Mr Benny assured him. "A friend, shall we say?"
"That's right," 'Bias nodded solemnly.
"And the lady?—spinster or widow?"
"Widow."
"Oh!"
"Eh?"
"Nothing. . . . I was considering. One has to collect a few data, you understand,—in strict confidence, of course. . . . Trade, profession, or occupation?"
"Whose?"
"Well, your friend's, to start with."