"Professional gentlemen and their ladies take to me at once. Did you tell me your uncle was a reverend?"
"No, I did not," replied Mavis, who was beginning to lose patience.
"You see, my father being a sea captain—"
"I can't see how that's anything to do with letting lodgings," said Mavis.
"Pardon me, it raises the question of references."
"Of course, I must have yours. I have only your word for the sort of people you've had here."
Mrs Farthing looked at Mavis in astonishment; she was unaccustomed to being tackled in this fashion.
"Perhaps, perhaps you'd like to see the sitting-room?" she faltered.
"I should," said Mavis.
Mrs Farthing led the way to a quaint little room, the window of which overlooked the neighbouring farmyard.