Kipps was half-minded to assent. Then he had a twinge of conscience. "It wasn't that, Ann," he said. "It's curious. I don't know what it was, but it wasn't that. I don't recollect.... No.... Life's jolly rum; that's one thing any'ow. And I suppose I'm a rum sort of feller. I get excited sometimes, and then I don't seem to care what I do. That's about what it was reely. Still——"
They meditated, Kipps with his arms folded and pulling at his scanty moustache. Presently a faint smile came over his face.
"We'll get a nice little 'ouse out Ithe way."
"It's 'omelier than Folkestone," said Ann.
"Jest a nice little 'ouse," said Kipps. "There's Hughenden, of course. But that's let. Besides being miles too big. And I wouldn't live in Folkestone again some'ow—not for anything."
"I'd like to 'ave a 'ouse of my own," said Ann. "I've often thought, being in service, 'ow much I'd like to manage a 'ouse of my own."
"You'd know all about what the servants was up to, anyhow," said Kipps, amused.
"Servants! We don't want no servants," said Ann, startled.
"You'll 'ave to 'ave a servant," said Kipps. "If it's only to do the 'eavy work of the 'ouse."
"What! and not be able 'ardly to go into my own kitchen?" said Ann.