“Since you make so worldly an inquiry, I presume we may take it for granted that the mantle of Mr. Craik’s filthy lucre will descend upon the unwilling shoulders of Mrs. Sherrington Trimm. To be plain, Totty will get the dollars. Well—I wish her joy. She is not acquainted with poverty, as it is, nor was destitution ever her familiar friend.”
“Why do you affect that biblical sort of language?”
“It seems to me more forcible than swearing. Besides, you would not let me swear, I am sure, even if I wanted to.”
“Certainly not——”
“Very well, then you must forgive the imperfections of my style in consideration of my not doing very much worse. I think I will go and ask how Mr. Craik is doing to-day. Would not that show a proper spirit of charity and forgiveness?”
“I hope you will do nothing of the sort!” exclaimed Constance hastily.
“Would it not be a proof that I had profited by your instruction?”
“I think it would be very hypocritical, and not at all nice.”
“Do you? It seems to me that it would only look civil——”
“From what you told me, civility can hardly be expected from you in this case.”