"Joe, dear, you wouldn't have done what Mr. Tomlin did, would you?"
"About what, Sue?"
"About that table. Mother and I thought it was horrid of him to take advantage of a poor old lady."
Joe evaded the question cleverly:
"Look ye here, my girl, Tomlin is—well, Tomlin. Don't you mix him up with me."
"But, Joe, you are mixed up with him—in business."
"Temporary arrangement, my pretty, nothing more."
He kissed her, murmuring, "Blessed little saint you are!"
II
Melchester was profoundly interested in the new premises, and the other dealers in genuine antiques went about, so Quinney affirmed, chattering with rage, and predicting ruin.