"What's he running after that gel for?"
"I've not heard of any girl."
"He's a good fer nothing fellow, and the little hussy's no better."
Maggie took up the tale. "They're all stupid on her 'cos she has a few looks. That's all a man wants."
"They're not all like that, Meg. Mr. Power here, he has more sense. He took up with Miss Neville, and though she's as nice as may be, her looks are nothing out of the bag."
Power said something under his breath. He went on with his breakfast, and the women despaired of him. In the end, out of a full mouth, he said:—
"You had better see Scandalous Jack. I'm too hungry for talking. He wanted to tell me a lot this morning."
"That nasty little man! I wouldn't demean myself with him. I told him half an hour since I'd put a kettle o' water over him if he showed his ugly face in at the door agen."
The women withdrew routed.