“No, dear, of course not, not all; and I don’t think you ought to speak like that.”
“Consequences of long habit, my dear,” said Jared.
“And besides, Mr Ruggles never troubled you for money, though it has been owing to him sometimes till I’ve been ashamed to see him.”
“That beautiful wife of his has though,” said Jared, nursing one leg by the fire as he stirred the glue now melting in the little pot, preparing for some fresh piece of music cobbling.
Mrs Jared winced and looked uncomfortable.
“Bullied me terribly one day for two and ninepence. Bother the Jezebel! I hate her, if it’s only for the way in which she ill-uses that child. ’Pon my soul,” exclaimed Jared excitedly, “I feel sometimes as if I could take the little thing away.”
Here Jared stirred the glue so viciously, that a portion fell over into the fire, and a vile savour arose in his nostrils.
“But it was about her he came to-day,” said Mrs Jared, nervously.
“What! little Pine?”
“No; about Mrs Ruggles,” said Mrs Jared, speaking very hurriedly. “He says there is no doubt about poor Mrs Nimmer never being able again to perform her duties; and he wants you to use any little influence you may have with Mr Gray and Mr Timson.”