About the middle of July he prevailed upon her to accept his
invitation, and to come alone, though Polly continued to declare
that she hated dogs, and that she had never in her life gone to so
remote and rural a spot as Dulwich without a "lady friend" to keep
her in countenance.
"Everything must have a beginning," said Gammon merrily.
"If you let those people know, I'll never speak to you again."
She referred to Mrs. Bubb and her household, of whom she had never
ceased to speak with animus.
"Honour bright, they shan't hear a whisper of it."
So on a Sunday morning they made the journey by omnibus for the sake
of the fresh air, Polly remarking again and again on her great
condescension, reaffirming her dislike of dogs, and declaring that
if a drop of rain fell she would turn about homeward forthwith. None
the less did she appear to find pleasure in Mr. Gammon's society. If
his gossip included a casual mention of some young lady, a friend of
his, she pressed for information concerning that person, and never
seemed quite satisfied with what she was told about her.
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