"Oh, don't bother about Mary now. Mrs. Huntingdon is dying to have you
talk to her. Please do and if you like--I will give you one of my roses
for your button-hole."
Brooks stood the shock gallantly, and bowed his thanks. He had met Mrs.
Huntingdon before, and they talked together for a quarter of an hour or
so.
"I wish I knew why you were here," was almost her first question.
"Isn't it all funny?
"Mr. Bullsom has always been very decent to me," he answered. "It is
through him I was appointed agent to Mr. Henslow."
"Oh, business! I see," she answered, shrugging her shoulders. "Same
here. I'm a doctor's wife, you know. Did you ever see such awful
girls! and who in the name of all that's marvellous can be their
dressmaker?"
"Bullsom is a very good sort indeed," Brooks answered. "I have a great
respect for him."
She made a little face.
"Who's the nice-looking girl in black with her hair parted in the
middle?" she asked. "Mr. Bullsom's niece. She is quite charming, and
most intelligent."
"Dear me!" Mrs. Huntingdon remarked. "I had no idea she had anything
to do with the family.
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