"No, sir, indeed, sir, no; if I had, I should live in a better place than this."
"A flower, eh?" taking up the flower which Muzzy had bought for Lizzie. "You amorous old dog! What lady fair is this for?"
"For a friend who lives in the next room."
"I thought you told me you had no friends," said Mr. Sheldrake, with a swift but searching glance at Muzzy's drooping form.
"More I have, sir; only this one, a good girl who tidies up my place, and cooks a bit for me now and then. I told you the truth, sir. I have not known her long."
"Can she hear us talk, this charmer of yours?"
"She's not at home, sir."
"But if she came in quietly--women are sly ones, some of them; like cats--could she hear us?"
"No, sir, not when the door is shut."
Mr. Sheldrake rose and closed the door.