Chapter Five.
“I should very much like to know what particular sin I have committed that I should have been plagued all my life with a stupid, garrulous old woman for a wife, who cannot be left an hour without putting her foot in it some way or another.”
“Ah, you did not say so to me once, James,” sighed Mrs Wilton.
“No, a good many hundred times. It’s really horrible.”
“But James—”
“There, do hold your tongue—if you can, woman. First you get inviting that young ruffian of John Garstang’s to stay when he comes down.”
“But, my dear, it was Claud. You know how friendly those two always have been.”
“Yes, to my sorrow; but you coaxed him to stay.”
“Really, my dear, I could not help it without being rude.”