“Oh! did you? What is it, please?” asked Girlie, who thought that she was really going to find out at last.
“I cannot possibly tell you under four shillings and ninepence-three-farthings,” said the Doctor-in-law. “But I’ll tell you twice for six shillings, if you like,” he added considerately.
“Oh dear!” said Girlie, greatly disappointed. “I’ve told you before that I really have no money at all with me.”
“Then,” said the Doctor-in-law, pushing his chair back and getting up indignantly, “I don’t think that you are at all a respectable person, and I shall certainly not sit by you any longer. You are the most unprofitable person that I have ever met with,” he added over his shoulder as he walked away.
“Oh dear!” thought Girlie, “now he’s offended with me because I haven’t any money.” But she consoled herself with the thought that it was really rather fortunate that she hadn’t; “For I am sure he would soon get it all away from me, if I had,” she said to herself.
Next to where the Doctor-in-law had been sitting was a little gentleman in brown, with only one eye and a very turned-up nose, who kept staring at Girlie with his one eye in a very confusing manner. Girlie fully expected him to say something, but he only continued to stare.
“KEPT STARING AT GIRLIE IN A VERY CONFUSING MANNER.”
“Perhaps he wishes me to say something first,” she thought. “I hope you are enjoying your dinner, sir,” she said aloud, very politely.
“A continual mind is a contemptuous feast,” remarked the little man, with a sneer.