I must
trouble you to cook better than this.'
'I'm very sorry, miss, that nothing seems to suit you'
'Oh, we shall get right in time!' interrupted Miss Rodney cheerfully. 'You
will find that I have patience. Then I wanted to ask you whether your
husband and your lodger come home tipsy _every_ night, or only on
Saturdays?'
The woman opened her eyes as wide as saucers, trying hard to look
indignant.
'Tipsy, miss?'
'Well, perhaps I should have said "drunk"; I beg your pardon.'
'All I can say, miss, is that young Mr. Rawcliffe has never behaved himself
in _this_ house excepting as the gentleman he is. You don't perhaps know
that he belongs to a very high-connected family, miss, or I'm sure you
wouldn't'
'I see,' interposed Miss Rodney. 'That accounts for it. But your husband.
Is _he_ highly connected?'
'I'm sure, miss, nobody could ever say that my 'usband took too much--not
to say _really_ too much. You may have heard him a bit merry, miss, but
where's the harm of a Saturday night?'
'Thank you. Then it is only on Saturday nights that Mr. Turpin becomes
merry. I'm glad to know that. I shall get used to these little things.'
But Mrs. Turpin did not feel sure that she would get used to her lodger.
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