He's in London."
"Indeed!--of Master Charles?"
"And you take me for missis, mum. I beg your pardon, mum," cries Hannah.
The invalid hits his sister in the side with a weak little fist. If
laughter can cure, salva est res. Doctor Goodenough's patient is safe.
"Master Charles is missis's brother, mum. I've got no brother, mum--never
had no brother. Only one son, who's in the police, mum, thank you. And
law bless me, I was going to forget! If you please, mum, missis says, if
you are quite rested, she will pay her duty to you, mum."
"Oh, indeed," says the lady, rather stiffly; and, taking this for an
acceptance of her mistress's visit, Hannah retires.
"This Miss Honeyman seems to be a great personage," says the lady. "If
people let lodgings, why do they give themselves such airs?"
"We never saw Monsieur de Boigne at Boulogne, mamma," interposes the
girl.
"Monsieur de Boigne, my dear Ethel! Monsieur de Boigne is very well.
But--" here the door opens, and in a large cap bristling with ribbons,
with her best chestnut front, and her best black silk gown, on which her
gold watch shines very splendidly, little Miss Honeyman makes her
appearance, and a dignified curtsey to her lodger.
Pages:
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244