“Thank you. Do you think nine-and-fourpence-halfpenny will take me to Bath?”
“To Bath, Miss? It might, if you condescended to third class.”
“Third class will do very well. Did you ever hear Polly Maybright speak of an aunt of hers, a Mrs. Cameron?”
Mrs. Ricketts, whose back was half turned to Flower while she shut and locked the box out of which she had taken the precious nine-and-fourpence-halfpenny, now sprang to her feet, and began to speak in a tone of great excitement.
“Did I hear of her?” she exclaimed. “Did I hear of the woman—for lady she ain’t—what turned my Maggie out of her good place, and near broke Miss Polly’s heart? Don’t mention Mrs. Cameron, please, Miss Flower, for talk of her I won’t; set eyes on her I wouldn’t, no, not if I was to receive a pound for it!”
“You needn’t get so excited,” said Flower; “you have not got to see Polly’s aunt; only I thought perhaps you could give me her address, for I am going to her to-morrow.”
“I wouldn’t, Miss, if I was you.”
“Yes, you would if you were me. What is Mrs. Cameron’s address?”
“I don’t know as I can rightly tell you, Miss.”
“Yes, you must. I see you know it quite well.”