“Won’t do,” said her visitor.
“What won’t do?”
“Hey?”
“I say, what won’t do?” said Mrs Shingle, colouring, and looking at him anxiously.
“I can hear you—don’t shout,” said the old fellow. “I say that won’t do. Has Tom been here much?”
“No, not much,” said Mrs Shingle.
“I don’t quite understand Tom,” said the old fellow. “But I think he’s a scamp.”
“Indeed, I’m sure he’s not!” cried Mrs Shingle excitedly. “Sure he’s not?” chuckled the old fellow. “Of course. Just like you women. You take a fancy to a man, and the blacker he is the more you say he’s white.”
“I’m sure Tom is a very good, gentlemanly young fellow.”
“Of course. But it won’t do, Polly—it won’t do.”