"What do you know about it?" retorted the old lady sharply. "I tell you she is a fool. Guy was up to see me the other day."
"Well, you can hardly expect me to believe that Guy spoke like that to you about his wife.
"Who said he did, you blind bat? Don't jump to conclusions, Eustace, for you're not clever enough to land at them."
"Well, tell me why you speak of Lady Errington like this"
"I take my own time and own way of telling things," replied Miss Jelly deliberately. "Minnie, my dear, go upstairs and look for your poetry, I daresay Mr. Gartney will glance at it before he goes."
Minnie had her precious manuscript in her pocket, but knowing from Miss Corbin's hint that she wanted to discuss private affairs with her nephew, meekly retreated from the room, closing the door quietly after her.
"I don't know what I've done that you should inflict Minnie's poetry on me," said Eustace in an injured tone.
"Pooh, nonsense! don't be selfish. It gives the poor child pleasure to have her milk-and-water rubbish looked at by you. Do a kind action for once in your life, Eustace. I'm sure it's little enough you do for your fellow-creatures."
"They aren't worth it."
"I daresay, but no doubt they make the same remark about you."