Oh, he was transparent, was Corp, but you may be sure Grizel never let him know that she saw through him.

Tommy could not be blamed, she pointed out, though he did not care for some woman who perhaps cared for him.
"Exac'ly," said Corp.
And if he seemed, Grizel went on, with momentary bitterness, to treat her badly, it could be only because she had made herself cheap.
"That's it," said Corp, cheerfully.

Then he added hurriedly, "No, that's no it ava.

She's the last to mak' hersel' cheap." Then he saw that this might put Grizel on the scent.

"Of course there's no sic woman," he said artfully, "but if there was, he would mak' it a' right.