“It’s no good, Cap’n Barber,” said one of the customers, with the best intentions in the world.
“It struck me all of a heap,” said the landlady.
“So it did me,” said the other man.
“My missus knew it all along,” said the first man; “she said she knew it by the way they looked at one another.”
“Might I ask who you’re talking of?” demanded the incensed Barber, who had given up the effort to appear unconscious as being beyond his powers.
“A young engaged couple,” said the landlady.
The captain hesitated. “What have you been shaking your head at me and telling me it’s no good for, then?” he demanded.
“At your pretending not to have heard of it,” said the landlady.
“I have not ’eard of it,” said Captain Barber, fiercely, as he took up his glass and walked towards the parlour. “I’ve got something better to do than talk about my neighbours’ affairs.”
“Yes, of course you have,” said the landlady. “We know that.”