"It's the plain truth." "Oh, don't mind her, mother," said Mela.

"She's put out because her old Mr.Beaton ha'r't been round for a couple o' weeks.

If you don't watch out, that fellow 'll give you the slip yit, Christine, after all your pains." "Well, there ain't anybody to give you the slip, Mela," Christine clawed back.
"No; I ha'n't ever set my traps for anybody." This was what Mela said for want of a better retort; but it was not quite true.

When Kendricks came with Beaton to call after her father's dinner, she used all her cunning to ensnare him, and she had him to herself as long as Beaton stayed; Dryfoos sent down word that he was not very well and had gone to bed.

The novelty of Mela had worn off for Kendricks, and she found him, as she frankly told him, not half as entertaining as he was at Mrs.
Horn's; but she did her best with him as the only flirtable material which had yet come to her hand.