‘I always said they were no good,’ hissed Miss Dick, as she counted the cheap electro spoons and forks. ‘If Jabez had been a man he wouldn’t have allowed me to be mixed up with a pack of thieves. Why didn’t he let his apartments himself? I’ll never take another lodger as long as I live.’
‘I wouldn’t, dear,’ said Miss Jackson; ‘it isn’t genteel.’
‘What!’ shrieked Georgina, turning on Miss Jackson, ‘not genteel! Hoity-toity! I wonder you demean yourself by honouring us with your presence! Genteel, indeed! My brother is a professional man, madam, if he is a fool. Your family made their money in dust-carts and refuse-heaps. Genteel, indeed!’
Miss Jackson shrieked and gasped for mercy. She held her arms out and struck attitudes of despair. She would have torn her hair but that she knew it would come off directly.
‘Oh, Georgina!’ she cried, ‘don’t, don’t! If you spurn me I shall die! I didn’t mean it; indeed I didn’t!’
Here Miss Jackson went off into strong hysterics and shrieked so loudly that Georgina, fearing a crowd outside and further scandal, slapped her hands viciously and promised to forgive her. Whereupon Miss Jackson left off her hysterics, wiped away her tears, and, clasping Georgina to her heart, declared she was the best of women and the dearest of friends.
Then, locking up the house, and taking Miss Jackson with her, Miss Duck marched off at once to Grigg and Limpet’s, to inform Jabez of the affair and to give him a bit of her mind.
Mr. Jabez being engaged with the governors, they were shown into a little waiting-room, in which there was already an elderly-looking female deeply veiled.
Presently Jabez came in, and all three ladies rose to meet him.
He gave a sharp cry of mingled astonishment and horror, then turned deadly pale, and seemed as though he would fly.