I don't believe she's seen more than three or four people altogether.

They may have been respectable enough, and I'm not the one to say they weren't, but I _do_ say it isn't what we was led to expect, and that you can't deny, Mrs.Mumford.' She paused for breath.

Emmeline had moved towards the door, and stood struggling with the feminine rage which impelled her to undignified altercation.

To withdraw in silence would be like a shamed confession of the charge brought against her, and she suffered not a little from her consciousness of the modicum of truth therein.
'It was a most unfortunate thing, Mrs.Higgins,' burst from her lips, 'that I ever consented to receive your daughter, knowing as I did that she wasn't our social equal.' 'Wasn't _what_ ?' exclaimed the other, as though the suggestion startled her by its novelty.

'You think yourself superior to us?
You did us a favour--' Whilst Mrs.Higgins was uttering these words the door opened, and there entered a figure which startled her into silence.