"I sy, we shall have to stop, if he will keep on listening that wy."
"Don't stop, please, Miss Ada. There, I've got my fingers in my ears. On my honour, I have. You can talk as many secrets as you like now. I can't hear a word."
The two girls dropped their voices to a low impassioned monotone.
"You've got to dress for somebody else besides yourself now—an engaged young lady."
"Oh, I don't know that he takes so much notice. But he's given me lots of things, besides my ring. I'm to have a real silver belt—a Russian—next birthday."
"I sy, he's orf'ly good to you, you know. Some gentlemen get so careless once they're sure of you. D'you know, we all think you acted so honourable, giving out your engagement as soon as it was on. When do you think you'll be married?"
"I can't say. I don't know yet. Never, I think, as long as I'm in that old Bank."
Even with his fingers in his ears, young Sidney heard that voice, and before he could stop himself he was listening again.
"Don't you like it?" said Miss Bishop.
"No. I hate it."