"Good-evening, Mrs. Clifton," said the governess; "come in."
"Thank you, but I didn't know you had company."
"Don't stand on ceremony, Mrs. Clifton," said Rufus; "my friend, Mr. Black, is perfectly harmless, I assure you. He is neither a bull nor a bear."
"What spirits you have, Mr. Rushton!"
"No spirits at all, Mrs. Clifton. Miss Manning has just been offering us some water as a substitute."
"You are so lively, Mr. Rushton. You remind me so much of my friend, Mr. Hunter."
"I suppose he was one of your admirers before you became Mrs. Clifton."
"Really, Mr. Rushton, you mustn't say such things. Mr. Hunter and I were very intimate friends, but nothing more, I assure you."
"Is Mr. Clifton well?" asked Miss Manning.
"He hasn't got home from the store. You know the dry goods stores always keep open late. Really, I might as well have no husband at all, it is so late when Mr. Clifton gets home, and then he is so sleepy that he can't keep his eyes open."