It takes a fool." Mr.Belcher laughed outright.

Then, in a patronizing way, he said: "Miss Butterworth, I have given you considerable time, and perhaps you'll be kind enough to state your business.

I'm a practical man, and I really don't see anything that particularly concerns me in all this talk.

Of course, I'm sorry for Benedict and the rest of 'em, but Sevenoaks isn't a very rich town, and it cannot afford to board its paupers at the hotel, or to give them many luxuries." Miss Butterworth was calm again.

She knew that she had done her cause no good, but was determined to finish her errand.
"Mr.Belcher, I'm a woman." "I know it, Keziah." "And my name is Butterworth." "I know it." "You do?
Well, then, here is what I came to say to you.