“So I did, Miranda, and will again.”

“And sovrins lots o’ times. I don’t mind.”

“Give this to the Italian lady.”

“Is she a lady, sir? I think she is sometimes, and sometimes I don’t, ’cause she’s so shabby. Why, some o’ them models as comes could buy her up out and out.”

“Yes, Miranda; but don’t be so loquacious.”

“No, sir, I won’t,” said Keren-Happuch, wondering the while what the word meant.

“Tell her that I’m not well this morning, and have gone into the country for a day, but I hope to see her at the same time to-morrow morning.”

“There, I knowed you wasn’t well, sir,” cried the girl eagerly.

“Pooh! only a little seedy.”

“But was she to come at the reg’lar time this morning, sir?”