She simpered, and wondered in her heart why he should speak so frankly to her.
“I hope Mrs. Troy is quite well after her long absence,” he continued, in a manner expressing that the coldest-hearted neighbour could scarcely say less about her.
“She is quite well, sir.”
“And cheerful, I suppose.”
“Yes, cheerful.”
“Fearful, did you say?”
“Oh no. I merely said she was cheerful.”
“Tells you all her affairs?”
“No, sir.”
“Some of them?”