No sign of recognition would pass between her husband and herself: by one stern refusal to acknowledge his advances, she had from the first taught him that in the shop they were strangers: he saw the rock of ridicule ahead, and required no second lesson: when she was present, he never knew it.
George had learned the lesson before he went into the business, and Mary had never required it.

The others behaved to her as to any customer known to stand upon her dignity, but she made them no return in politeness; and the way she would order Mary, now there was no father to offend, would have been amusing enough but for the irritation its extreme rudeness caused her.

She did, however, manage sometimes to be at once both a little angry and much amused.

Small idea had Mrs.
Turnbull of the diversion which on such occasions she afforded the customers present.
One day, a short time before her marriage, delayed by the illness of Mr.Redmain, Miss Mortimer happened to be in the shop, and was being served by Mary, when Mrs.Turnbull entered.

Careless of the customer, she walked straight up to her as if she saw none, and in a tone that would be dignified, and was haughty, desired her to bring her a reel of marking-cotton.