Mrs Widger has a noticeably wide mouth; I know that perfectly well; but I can hardly say how indignant I felt at his light remark; how insulted; as if he had spoken slightingly of someone belonging to me.
IV
Prince Town,
August.
1
When I took leave of the Widgers, there was the question of payment for my board and lodging. We were just finishing breakfast; the children had been driven out, Mrs Widger was resting awhile, and the table, the whole kitchen, was in extreme disorder.
I asked Mrs Widger what I owed, and, as I had expected, she replied only: "What you'm minded to pay."
"Three and six a day," I suggested.
"Not so much as that," said Mrs Widger. "'Tisn't like as if us could du for 'ee like a proper lodging house."
"Don' 'ee think, Missis," said Tony, "as we might ask 'en jest to make hisself welcome."
It was out of the question, of course. The mackerel season has been so bad. Mrs Widger shot at Tony a look he failed to see. Otherwise, she did not let herself appear to have heard him.