“Well, Stepney Major and Trelawney Minor, here’s half-a-crown for you. Only, when you next meet queer-looking people at the Fair, don’t stare at them as if they were part of the Show.”

When the two little boys had decamped, radiantly reverential, Miss Gault turned to Wolf.

“Didn’t they take off their hats prettily? They do bring ’em up well. Little gentlemen they are!”

She seemed glad of the interruption. But Wolf began speaking again.

“What’s that, boy?” she rejoined. “Terrible, this noise! Isn’t it?”

“Miss Gault!”

“You needn’t shout, Wolf. I can hear you. There⁠ ⁠… like that⁠ ⁠… that’s better!” And she shifted her position.