“What is it, Fanny,” asked Mrs. Clink, “that the doctor has been talking to you about?”
“I cannot answer that,” replied Fanny. “I have promised to tell nobody, and I must keep my word.”
“There!—that's sufficient!” cried Miss Sowersoft, “that is plenty! You see what it is. She has promised, and will not explain it. I knew before, as well as if I had heard, how it would all be. She has compromised' herself, just as such a young face-proud hussy was sure to do. It is a wonder to me, Mrs. Clink, how you have contrived to keep her respectable so long.”
“I did not intend to talk to you, Miss Sowersoft,” replied, Fanny; “but I will tell you that I have always been too respectable for what you seem to think.”
“Answer me, Fanny,” interposed Mrs. Clink. “I am sure you will answer me.”
“I cannot, ma'am,” said Fanny.
“You positively will not, do you mean to say?”
“Indeed I cannot, because I have promised that I would not; but it is nothing of the least harm.”
“Oh, no!” exclaimed Miss Sowersoft, “not the least harm!—to be sure not!—oh, no! She is very innocent, no doubt.”
“If I discharge you from service unless you do tell me, what then?” asked her mistress.