'Slip by!' and Harry had well-nigh dislodged Daisy by his vehemence in demonstrating that they were welcome to volunteer, but that the Channel Fleet would prevent the rifles from being seriously put to the proof—a declaration highly satisfactory to the ladies, and heartily backed up by the Doctor, though Blanche looked rather discomfited, and Hector argued loud for the probability of active service.
'I say, Aubrey,' said Tom, rather tired of the land and sea debate, 'do just reach me a card, to take up some of this sand upon.'
Aubrey obeyed, and reading the black-edged card as he handed it, said, 'Mrs. Pug. What? Pug ought to have been calling upon Mab.'
'Maybe she will, in good earnest,' observed Tom again in Ethel's ear; while the whole room rang with the laughter that always befalls the unlucky wight guilty of a blunder in a name.
'You don't mean that you don't know who she is, Aubrey!' was the cry.
'I—how should I?'
'What, not Mrs. Pugh?' exclaimed Daisy.
'Pew or Pug—I know nothing of either. Is this edge as mourning for all the old pews that have been demolished in the church?'
'For shame, Aubrey,' said Mary seriously. 'You must know it is for her husband.'
Aubrey set up his eyebrows in utter ignorance.