"Hubert has told me a great deal about them, and they are really not so bad as people make out." "Your husband can't know anything of such ragtags," said Miss Greeby, looking at the beautiful, pale face, and wondering if she really had any suspicion that Pine was one of the crew she mentioned.
"Oh, but Hubert does," answered Lady Agnes innocently.

"He has met many of them when he has been out helping people.

You have no idea, any of you, how good Hubert is," she added, addressing the company generally.
"He walks on the Embankment sometimes on winter nights and gives the poor creatures money.

And in the country I have often seen him stop to hand a shilling to some tramp in the lanes." "A gypsy for choice," growled Miss Greeby, marvelling that Lady Agnes could not see the resemblance between the tramps' faces and that of her own husband.

"However, I hope Pine's darlings won't come here to rob.
I'll fight for my jewels, I can promise you." One of the men laughed.