"And when is the malignant influence at work, pray?"
"When I see those footmen dressed up in that ridiculous costume, with powder in their heads, I confess then to being struck with wonder at a society which permits such monstrosity, and degrades its fellow-creatures to such a level."
"O, for a stump!" cried Caterham, shaking in his chair and with the tears running down his cheeks; "this display of virtuous indignation is quite a new and hitherto undiscovered feature in the little girl from Ricksborough; though of course you are quite wrong in your logic. Your fault should be found with the creatures who permit themselves to be so reduced. That 'dreary old thing,' Mr. Mill, would tell you that if the supply ceased, the demand would cease likewise. But don't let us talk about politics, for heaven's sake, even in fun. Let us revert to our original topic."
"What was that?"
"What was that! Why you, of course! Don't you recollect that we decided that you should have some drawing-lessons?"
"I recollect you were good enough to--"
"Annie! Annie! I thought it was fully understood that my goodness was a tabooed subject. No; you remember we arranged, on the private-view day of the Exhibition, with that man who had those two capital pictures--what's his name?--Ludlow, to give you some lessons."
"Yes; but Mr. Ludlow himself told us that he could not come for some little time; he was going out of town."
"Ive had a letter from him this morning, explaining the continuance of his absence. What do you think is the reason?"
"He was knocked up, and wanted rest?"