“But hasn’t your world often come to an end before?” said Alvina.
“Well—I suppose, once or twice. But never quite on top of me, you see, before—”
There was a silence.
“And have you told Miss Pinnegar?” said Mr. May.
“Not finally. But she has decided to open a little business in Tamworth, where she has relations.”
“Has she! And are you really going to tour with these young people—?” he indicated Ciccio and Gigi. “And at no salary!” His voice rose. “Why! It’s almost White Slave Traffic, on Madame’s part. Upon my word!”
“I don’t think so,” said Alvina. “Don’t you see that’s insulting.”
“Insulting! Well, I don’t know. I think it’s the truth—”
“Not to be said to me, for all that,” said Alvina, quivering with anger.
“Oh!” perked Mr. May, yellow with strange rage. “Oh! I mustn’t say what I think! Oh!”