Rufus laughed.
"And everybody grows up equal, as it were. Girls learn to look after themselves and men to respect 'em."
"That's as it ought to be."
"But the women of St. Gaved would be envious enough to bite their thumbs off if they knew she made a friend of me; and would talk abominable. I know 'em, and what they are capable of."
"Some of them can gossip a bit," he said, reflectively.
"And if they know'd I allowed her to see you," Mrs. Tuke went on.
"The fat would be in the fire," he interrupted.
"But they're not going to know. Do you think I don't know a lady when I sees her, and know also what's due to her? You should hear Miss Grover talk."
"She has a taking way with her."
"No, 'tisn't that. There's no chaff with her, and as for myself, I can't abide flattery. But I do like common-sense," and with a self-satisfied smile lighting up her severe face, Mrs. Tuke bustled out of the room.