Such an idea was evidently quite new to Cinderella, and she proclaimed it as the very zenith of human wisdom.
“You must let me spend a little, though.”
She spoke as though he had charge already of her hundred pounds a week.
“Not more than a fiver now and again. No need, really. Of course when you take a holiday abroad you can dip a bit if you want.”
Granny thought the provinces were vulgar, but Cinderella was quite sure that Mr. Shelmerdine didn’t agree with Grandmamma.
“Now look me right in the eye, and tell me whether the provinces are vulgar. Honest Injun now!”
The good gray eyes were open to a width that was positively astonishing. “Look right in, and consider yourself upon your oath.”
Mr. Shelmerdine did not agree with Grandmamma—being upon his oath.
“No, of course. The provinces are hearty and easy to get on with, and we are very fond of each other, and I don’t consider either of us vulgar. It is Granny’s Victorianism, to which I always pretend to give in—although I don’t, of course. Do you know dear, dirty old Sheffield? The next time you go and play against the Wednesday—I beg your pardon, I had forgotten those wretched Tories had made your father a peer—well, the next time you go to Sheffield—which you never will again—ask the dear old Tykes whether they have ever seen Mary Caspar as Alice in Dick Whittington. Why, it was I who presented the Cup and Medals to the United when they won the Hallamshire and West Riding Charity Vase.”
“Oh, really.”