“Who else is a-goin’, lovey?” said Mrs. Cluppins, in an insinuating manner.

“Oh! Mrs. Rogers is a-goin’,” replied Master Bardell, opening his eyes very wide as he delivered the intelligence.

“What? The lady as has taken the lodgings!” ejaculated Mrs. Cluppins.

Master Bardell put his hands deeper down into his pockets, and nodded exactly thirty-five times, to imply that it was the lady-lodger, and no other.

“Bless us!” said Mrs. Cluppins. “It’s quite a party!”

“Ah, if you knew what was in the cupboard, you’d say so,” replied Master Bardell.