"Now, Miss Spruce, I appeal to you--Have I said any queer things ?" "If you did, sir, I didn't notice them," said Miss Spruce.
"I noticed them, then," said Mrs Lupex.

"An unmarried man like Mr Cradell has no business to know whether a married lady wears a cap or her own hair--has he, Mr Eames ?" "I don't think I ever know," said Johnny, not intending any sarcasm on Mrs Lupex.
"I dare say not, sir," said the lady.

"We all know where your attention is riveted.

If you were to wear a cap, my dear, somebody would see the difference very soon--wouldn't they, Miss Spruce ?" "I dare say they would," said Miss Spruce.
"If I could look as nice in a cap as you do, Mrs Lupex, I'd wear one to-morrow," said Amelia, who did not wish to quarrel with the married lady at the present moment.

There were occasions, however, on which Mrs Lupex and Miss Roper were by no means so gracious to each other.
"Does Lupex like caps ?" asked Cradell.
"If I wore a plumed helmet on my head, it's my belief he wouldn't know the difference; nor yet if I had got no head at all.