"I suppose it does, but no man need ever be ashamed of that girl. She speaks perfectly correct English."
"She did before, I think."
"Do you know, I rather believe she has some idea of going on the stage."
"On the stage! Why?"
"Well, she reads Shakespeare and she sings very well indeed."
"Er—have you heard her?"
"Oh yes. I asked her to come into the drawing-room one evening, bearing in mind her possible relation to you, you know. Charlie says she's very highly gifted that way, and he's going to give her a little instruction on the piano."
Carstairs stood up suddenly. "Charlie and I are going to quarrel," he said with a little laugh, but his eyes flashed fire. He sat down as promptly as he had got up.
She came over and put a hand on his arm; she was very serious. "You don't like that business of the lodging-house gin, any more than I do. I shall make a point of always being in the room when Charlie's teaching her."
Carstairs looked gloomily at the carpet. "Charlie's such a handsome chap, he plays and sings and does everything so well; he's got all the luck."