"Your husband! I'm very sorry."
"He's been an out-door patient for some time; he's being examined by the doctors now."
"Whom did you marry, Esther?"
"William Latch, a betting man, sir."
"You married a betting man, Esther? How curiously things do work out! I remember you were engaged to a pious young man, the stationer's foreman. That was when you were with Miss Rice; you know, I suppose, that she's dead."
"No, sir, I didn't know it. I've had so much trouble lately that I've not been to see her for nearly two years. When did she die, sir?"
"About two months ago. So you married a betting man! Miss Rice did say something about it, but I don't think I understood that he was a betting man; I thought he was a publican."
"So he was, sir. We lost our licence through the betting."
"You say he's being examined by the doctor. Is it a bad case?"
"I'm afraid it is, sir."