"By Jove, mother, you are a wonder.

You never miss fire.

I'd give a thousand dollars, if I had it, to see old Mrs.
Wintermill's face if that remark could be repeated to her." A faint smile played about his mother's lips.

After all, there was honest tribute in the speech of this son of hers.
"It would be worse than a bloody nose for Percy," said Anne, slipping an arm around her mother's waist.

"But I don't like what you said about _me_ and the dressmakers.