“That isn’t settled yet,” said Alvina.
“No! Exactly! Exactly! It wouldn’t be settled yet. And you say it is a permanent engagement? Of cauce, at such a figure.”
“Yes, it is a permanent engagement,” said Alvina.
“Really! What a blow you give me! You won’t come back to the Endeavour? What? Not at all?”
“No,” said Alvina. “I shall sell out of the Endeavour.”
“Really! You’ve decided, have you? Oh! This is news to me. And is this quite final, too?”
“Quite,” said Alvina.
“I see! Putting two and two together, if I may say so—” and he glanced from her to the young men—“I see. Most decidedly, most one-sidedly, if I may use the vulgarism, I see—e—e! Oh! but what a blow you give me! What a blow you give me!”
“Why?” said Alvina.
“What’s to become of the Endeavour? and consequently, of poor me?”