If ever I have to--" Mrs.Clover made her great effect of the pregnant pause.

The listener, who had sobered wonderfully, sat gazing at her, his blue eyes comically rueful.
"She isn't coming back at all ?" fell from his lips.
"Of course she isn't." "Well, I'm blest if I thought you could be so unkind, Mrs.Clover." She was silent for three ticks of the clock, an odd hardness having come over her face, then, flushing just a little, as if after an effort, she smiled again, and spoke in her ordinary tone.
"What had you to say about Polly ?" "Polly ?--Polly be hanged! I half believe Polly's no better than she should be." The flush on Mrs.Clover's face deepened and she spoke severely.
"What do you mean by saying such things ?" "I didn't meant to," exclaimed Gammon, with hasty penitence.

"Look here, I really didn't; but you put me out.

She had some presents given her, that's all." "I know it," said Mrs.Clover.

"She's been here to-day--called this afternoon." "Polly did ?" "Yes, and behaved very badly too.