Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. II, 1889.djvu/82

 shouldn’t much mind if there was, just to see the face you’d pull, young woman. On the whole, perhaps it’s as well for you that I am fairly good-tempered,—eh?”

Clem stood apart, smiling dubiously, now and then eyeing him askance. His last words once more put her on her guard; she moved towards the table again.

“Give me the address,” said her husband. “I’ll go and have a talk with my relations. What sort of a girl’s Janey grown up,—eh?”

“If you’ll wait a bit, you can see for yourself. She’s goin’ to call here at twelve.”

“Oh, she is? I suppose you’ve arranged a pleasant little surprise for her? Well, I must say you’re a cool hand, Clem. I shouldn’t wonder if she’s been in the house several times since I’ve been here?”

“No, she hasn’t. It wouldn’t have been safe, you see.”

“Give me the corkscrew, and I’ll open this bottle of whisky. It takes it out of a fellow, this kind of thing. Here’s to you, Mrs. Clem! Have a drink? All right; go