"That is only a notion of yours," said Mrs. Wymans, a little nettled, "and why should a woman only know one side of a thing?"
"Because she only hears her husband's views; of course his private affairs cannot be talked over with another person, therefore the wife's views must be a little one-sided."
"Oh no, mine are not. I hear a thing and see a great many sides all at once."
"Perhaps you are cleverer than I am," said Mrs. Dorriman, in all humility, glad that at any rate the question of the Rivers girls had not cropped up.
Mrs. Wymans eyed her keenly, anxious to make out whether she was speaking satirically or not. Somewhat reassured on that point by Mrs. Dorriman's placid face, she drew a little nearer her and said confidentially,
"What a sad thing Mrs. Drayton's position is!"
"In what way?" Mrs. Dorriman received a dreadful shock by this sudden touch upon the subject.
"Why, her husband being poor instead of rich, and some other things."
"Do you mind telling me what other things?" and Mrs. Dorriman was alarmed as well as annoyed.
"Why, if you do not know of any thing, ... but if it is not true, I had better not repeat it."