'Rather, they did not do it,' asserted the irrepressible Jesse.
Mrs. Tomkin-Jones drew her lips together as though about to whistle. This was expressive of indignation. She said no more on the matter, but sighed.
The lady was wont to sigh when her mental corns were trodden on.
She had stiffened her back in pride as she approached the chemist's shop. It became stiffer with indignation at her daughter's levity and lack of reverence. But the shop passed, she relaxed, and sank back into a dignified position, and said, 'Ah! by the way, what is her name?'
'Whose name?'
'That of the domestic.'
'Do you mean, ma'am, my——'
'For heaven's sake, do not address me as ma'am.'
'What shall I say—Mrs. Tomkin-Jones?'
'That is almost worse; it stamps a person at once. Only servants of lodging-house type address one thus. Neither, if you please.'