"What did I tell you? You will never be a lady if you leave out your h's."
At this moment the mamma appeared. "Oh," said Mrs. Jackson, "your little girl was crying so for you, till that gentleman succeeded in amusing her."
"I 'ope, sir, she 'asn't been very troublesome? The baby, 'e 'as been so fretful with 'is teeth, or I should 'ave come for H'Emma sooner."
"The gentleman said H'Emma was vulgar."
"Don't you tell stories, miss. The gentleman wouldn't 'ave you called hout of your name."
Bluebell laughed at Mr. Dutton's slightly confused appearance, and asked if he thought his corrections would survive the force of example.
"I might have known whom she had learnt it from."
Then, after a moment's hesitation, he asked Bluebell if she could play chess; and, on her replying in the affirmative, he produced a pocket-board.
"I always take it to sea with me," said he, "and make out problems."
Bluebell was beaten, and he tried to teach her a more scientific game. And the evening passed away pleasantly to those two at any rate.