“You cannot do that at this moment. There is a gentleman with him. I am waiting for the gentleman. His business with Mr. Fledgeby will very soon be transacted, and then you can go up. Until the gentleman comes down, you must wait here.”

While speaking, and afterwards, the lady kept watchfully between her and the staircase, as if prepared to oppose her going up, by force. The lady being of a stature to stop her with a hand, and looking mightily determined, the dressmaker stood still.

“Well? Why do you listen?” asked the lady.

“I am not listening,” said the dressmaker.

“What do you hear?” asked the lady, altering her phrase.

“Is it a kind of a spluttering somewhere?” said the dressmaker, with an inquiring look.