Underground within two miles, if the Midland didn't suit," said Mr.
Neefit. "Nonsense, father. Of course he'd come in a cab!" said Polly.
Mrs. Neefit was not able to add the stinging remark with which her
tongue was laden, as Ralph Newton was already in the house. She
smoothed her apron, crossed her hands, and uttered a deep sigh. There
could be no more going down into the kitchen now to see whether
the salmon was boiled, or to provide for the proper dishing of the
lamb. "This is quite condescending of you, Mr. Newton," said the
breeches-maker, hardly daring to shake hands with his guest,--though
in his shop he was always free enough with his customers in this
matter. Polly looked as though she thought there was no condescension
whatever, held up her head, and laughed and joked, and asked some
questions about the German at the shop, whom she declared she was
never allowed to see now, and whose voice she swore she had never
heard. "Is he dumb, Mr. Newton? Father never will tell me anything
about him. You must know."

"Laws, Polly, what does it matter?" said Mrs. Neefit. And they were
the only words she had spoken. Polly, from the first, had resolved
that she would own to the shop. If Mr. Newton came to see her, he
should come to see a girl who was not ashamed to speak of herself as
the daughter of a breeches-maker.

"He don't talk much, does he, Mr. Newton?" said Mr. Neefit, laughing
merrily.

"Do tell me one thing," said Ralph. "I know it's a secret, but I'll
promise not to tell it. What is his real name?"

"This isn't fair," said Mr. Neefit, greatly delighted. "All trades
have their secrets. Come, come, Mr. Newton!"

"I know his name," said Polly.

"Do tell me," said Ralph, coming close to her, as though he might
hear it in a whisper.

"Mr. Neefit, I wish you wouldn't talk about such things here," said
the offended matron. "But now here's dinner." She was going to take
her guest's arm, but Mr. Neefit arranged it otherwise.

"The old uns and the young uns;--that's the way to pair them," said
Mr. Neefit,--understanding nature better than he did precedence; and
so they walked into the next room. Mrs. Neefit was not quite sure
whether her husband had or had not done something improper. She had
her doubts, and they made her uncomfortable.

The dinner went off very well. Neefit told how he had gone himself to
the fishmonger's for that bit of salmon, how troubled his wife had
been in mind about the lamb, and how