"Is she in?"
"Yes, sir; but you can't see her, if that's what you've come for."
"Why can't we see her?"
"'Cause she's too ill to be seen by anybody but us. Poor thing! she's no sooner out of one fit than she's into another."
"Ah!" And the speaker glanced at his companion. "I'm sorry to hear it—very, very sorry." His voice was soothing and sympathizing, and 'Melia Jane, who had not been too favourably impressed by the strangers, became instantly mollified. "How long has she been ill?"
"Oh, come!" exclaimed 'Melia Jane, relapsing into her original view. "You don't belong to the family, as I'm aware of."
"No, we do not, my good girl," observed the man; "but that would not prevent me from feeling pity for any young lady who is ill, I hope." He smiled so kindly upon 'Melia Jane that she did not know what to think of him. "Perhaps it's what occurred last night that has upset her?"
"I don't know what occurred last night," said 'Melia Jane, sharply; "do you?"
"Why, my girl, a number of things occur every night. Which particular one do you refer to?"
"I once knowed a girl," said 'Melia Jane, with an air of scornful defiance, "who knowed another girl who had a friend who lived in Pump Court."