"Absurd," said George. "We're like brothers."
"Ah," said Mrs. Gray, "but there's one thing you don't know. Jim only heard it for certain to-day."
"That's nothing," said Gray, suddenly; "he knows all about that."
"Oh, you mean——" said George, looking at his landlord.
"Where are my slippers?" bawled Gray, irritably, suddenly groping about the fireplace. "They're never here when——"
"I'll get them, Jimmy!" Mrs. Gray skipped away to the kitchen.
"Not a word, mind," said Gray, in a fierce whisper to George. "I won't have that business discussed here. I'm secretary to the 'Old Friends' Society,' at sixty pounds a year. That's good enough for you."
"It's good enough for you, I suppose you mean," said George.
"Well, remember—not a word."
"I'm not sure that I should be doing right——"