Mavis stared at the plainly clad, stumpy little figure in astonishment.
"I mean it," continued Miss Toombs. "She's a designing little hypocrite. I know you're too good a sort to give me away."
"I didn't know you liked me well enough to confide in me," remarked Mavis.
"I don't like you."
"Why not?" asked Mavis, surprised at the other woman's candour.
"Look at you!" cried Miss Toombs savagely, as she turned away from Mavis. "But what I was also going to say was this: don't have too much to do with young Perigal."
"I'm not likely to."
"Don't, all the same. You're much too good for him."
"Why? Is he fast?" asked Mavis.
"It wouldn't matter if he were. But he is what some people call a 'waster.'"