"You haven't told me very much about him," said Mavis.
"I've never heard much good of him," declared Miss Hunter.
"Men are scarcely expected to be paragons," said Mavis.
"When he was last at home, he was often about with Sir Archibald Windebank."
"I know him too," declared Mavis.
"Nonsense!"
"Why shouldn't I? His father was my father's oldest friend."
Miss Hunter winced; she stared fixedly at Mavis, with eyes in which admiration and envy were expressed. Later, when Mavis was leaving for the day, Miss Hunter fussed about her with many assurances of regard.
To Mavis's surprise, Miss Toombs joined her outside the factory—surprise, because the elder woman rarely spoke to her, seeming to avoid rather than cultivate her acquaintance.
"I can say here what I can't say before that little cat," remarked Miss Toombs.