"I've done? I've done? I 'ave my faults same as others, but I can
say, I can that--that I've never let a gentleman make love to me
unless I've been properly introduced to him," remarked her opponent
virtuously.
"For shame! For shame!" cried Miss Potter and Miss Allen together,
as if the proprieties that they held most sacred had been ruthlessly
and unnecessarily violated.
"No, that I h'ain't," continued irate Miss Impett. "I've watched you
when you didn't know I was by and seen the way you've made eyes at
gentlemen in evening dress."
Much as Mavis was shocked at all she had heard, she was little
prepared for what followed. The next moment Miss Potter had sprung
out of bed; with clenched fists, and features distorted by rage, she
sprang to Miss Impett's bedside.
"Say that again!" she screamed.
"I shan't."
"You daren't!"
"I daren't?"
"No, you daren't."
"What would you do if I did?"
"Say it and see."
"You dare me to?"
"Yes, you damn beast, to say I'm no better than a street-walker!"
"Don't you call me names."
"I shall call you what I please, you dirty upstart, to put yourself
on a level with ladies like us! We always said you was common.
Pages:
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154