The effect was superb.

Ada, feeling that the bride was eclipsed, pretended that her wedding ring was hurting her, and drew all eyes to that badge of honour.
When they reached Cardigan Street, Mrs Yabsley went into the back room, and returned grunting under the weight of a dozen bottles of beer in a basket.

Then, one by one, she set them in the middle of the table like a group of ninepins.

It seemed a pity to break the set, but they were thirsty, and the pieman was not due for half an hour.

A bottle was opened with infinite precaution, but the faint plop of the cork reached the sharp ears of Mrs Swadling, who was lounging at the end of the lane.