I don't believe Gladys knew I was joking; that is the worst of her, she never sees a joke; Etta does, though, for she burst out laughing when my lady walked off to bed in rather a dignified manner.

I hope you are not easily offended too, Miss Garston ?' 'Oh dear, no,' I returned coolly, 'only I should be sorry if you had in any way changed your opinion of my steadiness.

Miss Darrell hinted that you were vexed with me for keeping your sister, and thought that I was to blame.' Mr.Hamilton looked so bewildered at this that I exonerated him from that moment.
'What nonsense has that girl been talking ?' he said, rather irritated.
'I always tell her that tongue of hers will lead her into trouble; I know she talked plenty of rubbish that night.

When she said it was a pity that you and Gladys were always chattering secrets, I told her that though you were not a Methuselah, you were hardly the sort of person to indulge in that sort of sentimentality, that I could answer for your good sense in that, and that Etta need not be so hard on a pretty young girl like Gladys.

That was not accusing you of want of steadiness.' 'No, thank you.