“Meek can tell you; he knows everything. I say, Downie,” said Jennings, “come here for a moment, and enlighten us on a most interesting point.”
“Oh dear! what is it? This room is so very cold. Don't you think, Frobisher, that a double door would be advisable?”
“A green one, with a centre pane of glass, would make it devilish like a 'hell,'” said Upton; upon which the company all laughed approvingly.
“What is it you want?” said Meek, approaching, glass in hand.
“Play out the game, and have your gossip afterwards,” said Frobisher, who felt far more anxious about the fate of his twenty pounds than for the result of the conversation.
“A queen of hearts,” said Upton, leading; then, turning to Meek, said, “These Kennyfeck girls—can you tell what the figure is?”
“Poor dear things,” said Meek, piteously; “they should be very well off.”
“I score two!” said Upton. “Well, have they twenty thousand each?”
“I should say more. Oh dear me! they must have more! Kennyfeck holds a heavy mortgage on Kilgoff's estate, and has a great deal of other property.”
“Then it would be a good thing, Meek, eh?” said Jennings.