I am subject to no claims, and my means are hardly large enough to make me an object of interest to sycophantic relatives." "Is your companion fond of attending to wild animals ?" Mrs.Ashborne inquired.

"I have wondered where you got her.

You have had a number, but she is different from the rest." "I suppose you mean she is too good for the post ?" Mrs.Keith suggested.

"However, I don't mind telling you that she is Eustace Graham's daughter; you must have heard of him." "Eustace Graham?
Wasn't he in rather bad odor--only tolerated on the fringe of society?
I seem to recollect some curious tales about him." "Toward the end he was outside the fringe; indeed, I don't know how he kept on his feet so long; but he went downhill fast.

A plucker of plump pigeons, an expensive friend to smart young subalterns and boys about town.