“Your cook’s gone wrong?” said Mrs. Marjoy, who had a particular grievance against domestics.
“No.”
“Some one has eloped?” ventured Miss Snodley.
“No, dear, much more exciting.”
“Tell us, then.”
Mrs. Mince took a deep breath and delivered herself of her tidings with fitting éclat.
“Young Strong has compromised himself?” she said.
There was a moment’s silence, then a kind of cackling outburst, like the pother in a farm-yard over the laying of an egg.
“Never,” said Miss Snodley.
“He has.”