'She said——?' I repeated, bewildered.
'Well, he did say so, that he would think it his duty to inform Mr. Porterfield, when he comes on to meet her—if they keep it up in the same way,' said Mrs. Peck.
'Oh, they'll keep it up, don't you fear!' one of the gentlemen exclaimed.
'Dear madam, the captain is laughing at you.'
'No, he ain't—he's right down scandalised. He says he regards us all as a real family and wants the family to be properly behaved.' I could see Mrs. Peck was irritated by my controversial tone: she challenged me with considerable spirit. 'How can you say I don't know it when all the street knows it and has known it for years—for years and years?' She spoke as if the girl had been engaged at least for twenty. 'What is she going out for, if not to marry him?'
'Perhaps she is going to see how he looks,' suggested one of the gentlemen.
'He'd look queer—if he knew.'
'Well, I guess he'll know,' said Mrs. Gotch.
'She'd tell him herself—she wouldn't be afraid,' the gentleman went on.