He was prepared for some expression of surprise on the part of the good woman; but the blend of sheep-faced amazement and uncivil incredulity to which she subjected him made him hot and angry; and he vouchsafed no further word of explanation.
Mrs.Beamish presently so far recovered as to be able to finish wiping the suds from her fat red arms.
Thereafter, she gave way to a very feminine weakness.
"Well, and now I come to think of it, I'm blessed if I didn't suspeck somethin' of it, right from the first! Why, didn't I say to Beamish, with me own lips, 'ow you couldn't 'ardly take your eyes off 'er?
Well, well, I'm sure I wish you every 'appiness--though 'ow we're h'ever goin' to get on without Polly, I reelly don't know.

Don't I wish it 'ad bin one o' my two as 'ad tuck your fancy--that's all! Between you an' me, I don't believe a blessed thing's goin' to come of all young Smith's danglin' round.

An' Polly's still a bit young--only just turned sixteen.

Not as she's any the worse o' that though; you'll get 'er h'all the easier into your ways.

An' now I mus' look smart, an' get you a bite o' somethin' after your ride." In vain did Mahony assure her that he had lunched on the road.