Silence.

“What stitches did this dressmake person take in my character?” she corrode.

“She say your Aunt Angelica drink medicine.”

“Truthfully, she does.”

“She report your nephew Joshua eat cigarette-smudge.”

“I might deny that uselessly.”

“She describe your husband’s doggish habits.”

“I also realise them.”

“She explain how your dress contains flounced dimity with spaniels of heliotrope cut umpire-fashion at neck with—”