Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/53

 'Well, Miss Milton, perhaps I do. Describe him.'

'I don't believe Annie ever told me his name, but she was talking about him at our house yesterday.'

'But I wasn't there, Miss Milton.'

'No,' said Miss Milton, 'but he's got the next place to yours in the country.'

I positively leapt from my seat.

'Why, good gracious, Carter himself, you mean!' cried Dinnerly, laughing. 'Well, that is a good 'un—ha-ha-ha!'

She turned a stony glare on me.

'Do you live next to Mr. Dinnerly in the country?' she asked.

I would have denied it if Dinnerly had not been there. As it was I blew my nose.

'I wonder,' said Miss Milton, 'what has become of Aunt Emily.'

'Miss Milton,' said I, 'by a happy chance you have enjoyed a luxury. You have told the man what you think of him.'

'Yes,' said she; 'and I have only to add that he is also a hypocrite.'

Pleasant, wasn't it? Yet Mrs. Hilary says it was my fault! That's a woman all over!