So she said, 'Dull! You were never in Regent Street, or you wouldn't ask such a question.'
'I came from the Lowther Arcade,' he said.
'Oh, really?' drawled Ethelinda; 'then, of course, this would be quite a pleasant change for you.'
'I don't know,' he said; 'I liked the Arcade. It was so lively; a little noisy perhaps—too much top spinning, and pop-gunning, and mouth-organ playing all round one—but very cheerful. Yes, I liked the Arcade.'
'Very mixed the society there, isn't it?' she asked; 'aren't you expected to know penny things?'
'Well, there were a good many penny things there,' he owned, 'and very amusing they were. There was a wooden bird there that used to duck his head and wag his tail when they swung a weight underneath—he would have made you laugh so!'
'I hope,' said Ethelinda freezingly, 'I should never so far forget myself as to laugh under any circumstances—and certainly not at a penny thing!'
'I wonder how much he cost?' she thought; 'not very much, I can see from his manner. But perhaps I can get him to tell me. Do you remember,' she asked aloud, 'what was the—ah—the premium they asked for introducing you here—did you happen to catch the amount?
'Do you mean my price?' he said; 'oh, elevenpence three farthings—it was on the ticket.'
'What a vulgar creature!' thought Ethelinda; 'I shall really have to drop him.'