’AndmayIask，ma’am，’retortedMrMeagles，alittleheightenedincolour，’whodoesexpecteverything？’
’Oh，nobody，nobody!’saidMrsGowan。’Iwasgoingtosay——butyouputmeout。YouinterruptingPapa，whatwasIgoingtosay？’
Droopingherlargegreenfan，shelookedmusinglyatMrMeagleswhileshethoughtaboutit；aperformancenottendingtothecoolingofthatgentleman’sratherheatedspirits。
’Ah!Yes，tobesure!’saidMrsGowan。’Youmustrememberthatmypoorfellowhasalwaysbeenaccustomedtoexpectations。Theymayhavebeenrealised，ortheymaynothavebeenrealised——’
’Letussay，then，maynothavebeenrealised，’observedMrMeagles。