“You didn't answer my question, Miss Kitty. Why did you refuse to let me in tonight?”
“For good raisons—bekase I—hard you cologgin' an' whisperin' wid a pack of fellows without.”
“An' have you the brass to say so, knowin' that it's false an' a lie into the bargain?” (Head energetically shaken.)
“Have I the brass, is it? I keep my brass in my pocket, ma'am, not in my face, like some of our friends.” (Head shaken in reply to the action displayed by Kitty.)
This was a sharp retort; but it was very well returned.
“Thank you, ma'am,” replied Biddy, “if it's faces you're spakin' about, I know you're able to outface me any day; but whatever's in my face there's no desate in my heart, Miss Lowry. Put that in your pocket.” (One triumphant shake of the head at the conclusion.)
“There's as much in your heart as'll shame your face, yet, Miss Nulty. Put that in yours.” (Another triumphant shake of the head.)
“Thank God,” retorted Biddy, “none o' my friends ever knewn what a shamed face is. I say, madam, none o' my family iver wore a shamed face. Thiguthu shin?” (Do you understand that? )
This, indeed, was a bitter hit; for the reader must know that a sister of Lowry's had not passed through the world without the breath of slander tarnishing her fair fame.
“Oh, it's well known your tongue's no slander, Biddy.”