He turned to the girl: "What's this game, Florrie?
You had better give it up.

If you expect me to run all over London looking for you every time you happen to have a tiff with your auntie and cousins you are mistaken.

I can't afford it." Tiff--was the sort of definition to take one's breath away, having regard to the fact that both the word convict and the word pauper had been used a moment before Flora de Barral ran away from the quarrel about the lace trimmings.

Yes, these very words! So at least the girl had told Mrs.
Fyne the evening before.

The word tiff in connection with her tale had a peculiar savour, a paralysing effect.