“And what about other names,” interrupted Miss Pinnegar, a little lofty. “What about Houghton, for example?”
Madame put down her fork, but kept her knife in her hand. She looked across the room, not at Miss Pinnegar.
“Houghton—! Huff-ton!” she said. “When it is said, it has a sound against: that is, against the neighbour, against humanity. But when it is written Hough-ton! then it is different, it is for.”
“It is always pronounced Huff-ton,” said Miss Pinnegar.
“By us,” said Alvina.
“We ought to know,” said Miss Pinnegar.
Madame turned to look at the unhappy, elderly woman.
“You are a relative of the family?” she said.
“No, not a relative. But I’ve been here many years,” said Miss Pinnegar.
“Oh, yes!” said Madame. Miss Pinnegar was frightfully affronted. The meal, with the three women at table, passed painfully.