'A proud, stuck-up thing, she was! Served him right if she made him uncomfortable; he only married her because her people were grand.' 'I don't believe they ever go near him now,' said the mother.
'What did they quarrel about, mother ?' asked Jessie.

'I believe he used his wife badly, that's the truth of it.' 'How do _you_ know what the truth of it is ?' returned her mother, contemptuously.

'I know very well he did nothing of the kind; whatever his faults are, he's not that sort of man.' 'Well, you must confess, mother, he's downright mean; and you've often enough said Mrs.Dagworthy spent more money than pleased him.

I know very well I shouldn't like to be his wife.' 'You wait till he asks you, Jessie,' cried Barbara, with sisterly reproof.
'I don't suppose he's very likely to ask any of you,' said Mrs.
Cartwright, with a laugh which was not very hearty.

'Now, Geraldine, _when_ are you going to have done your breakfast?
Here's ten o'clock, and you seem as if you'd never stop eating.