They discussed Miss Sparkes very thoroughly. There had been a battle
royal in the afternoon, for the girl came only to "show off" and
make herself generally offensive. Mrs. Clover desired to be friendly
with her sister's daughter, but would stand no "cheek," and had said
so.

"Polly's all right," remarked Mr. Gammon finally. "Don't you fret
about her. She ain't that kind. I know 'em."

"Then why did you say just now--"

"Because you riled me, sending Minnie away."

Again Mrs. Clover reflected, and again she looked her friend
steadily in the face.

"Why did you want her to stay?"

Mr. Gammon's heated visage glowed with incredible fervour. He
shrugged his shoulders, shuffled his feet, and at length burst out
with:

"Well, I should think you know. It isn't the first time I've showed
it, I should think."

"Then I'm very sorry. I'm real sorry."

The words fell gently, and one might have thought that Mrs. Clover
was softening the rejection of a tender proposal made to herself.