"Then, why don't you get rid of it?"
"It's more than I dare do, sir. There it is, and there it must remain."
"And there that evil-looking bird is, I suppose, and there that must remain."
"Yes, sir."
"Ah, well," I said, thinking it time to get upon the track, "and now let us talk about something else. You appear to be in trouble."
"You may well say that, sir. I'm worn to skin and bone."
"I'm sorry to hear it, Fanny. Money troubles, I suppose?"
"O, no, sir! We can manage on what we've got, Lemon and me, though he has made ducks and drakes with the best part of his savings. Not money troubles, sir; a good deal worser than that."
"Your husband is well, I trust."
"I wish I could say so, sir. No, sir, he's a long way from well, and I didn't know who else to call in, for poor dear Lemon wouldn't stand anybody but you."