“It suits your tongue all the better,” muttered Lady Janet, and turned round to the others. “Stubbs, as I was saying, called the man in, and after some conversation about the dandelion, asked, in a cursory way, you know, 'How the lady was, upstairs?' He shook his head, and said nothing.
“'It will not be tedious, I hope?' said Stubbs.
“'These are most uncertain cases,' said he; 'sometimes they last a day, sometimes eight or nine.'
“'I think you 're very mysterious, doctor,' said Stubbs.
“He muttered something about honor, and, seizing his hat went off, as Stubbs says, 'as if he was shot!'”
“Honor!” cried one of the hearers.
“Honor!” ejaculated another, with an expression of pure horror.
“Did n't he say, madam,” said the blond old lady, “that it wasn't his branch of the profession?”
“Oh! oh!” broke in the company together, while the younger ladies held up their fans and giggled behind them.
“I 'm thorry for the poor mother!” sighed Mrs. Malone, who had seven daughters, each uglier than the other.