"I don't know, but I wouldn't stand in that creature's shoes for anything in the world."
Mrs Macphail shuddered. There was something positively alarming in the triumphant assurance of the little woman's manner. They were going out together that morning, and they went down the stairs side by side. Miss Thompson's door was open, and they saw her in a bedraggled dressing-gown, cooking something in a chafing-dish.
"Good morning," she called. "Is Mr Davidson better this morning?"
They passed her in silence, with their noses in the air, as if she did not exist. They flushed, however, when she burst into a shout of derisive laughter. Mrs Davidson turned on her suddenly.
"Don't you dare to speak to me," she screamed. "If you insult me I shall have you turned out of here."
"Say, did I ask Mr Davidson to visit with me?"
"Don't answer her," whispered Mrs Macphail hurriedly.
They walked on till they were out of earshot.
"She's brazen, brazen," burst from Mrs Davidson.
Her anger almost suffocated her.