among her failings—when she kept calm.
She was sufficiently calm now. 'I see what you mean, and I shall certainly say no more about Australia. "I like a man that is well-bred!" Do you remember how Daft Larry used to wag his head and say that whenever he saw you? "You're not one of the low sort," he used to go on; and how we did laugh! But I've been thinking, Alfred, that he couldn't have said the same about me, if I'd been a man. And—and that's at the bottom of it all!' She smiled, but her smile was sad.
'You are offended, Gladys?'
'Not a bit. Only I seem to understand.'
'You don't understand! And that isn't at the bottom of it!'
'Very well, then, it isn't. So stop frowning like that this instant. I'd no idea you looked so well when you were fierce. I shall make you fierce often now. Come, you stupid boy! I shall learn in time. How do you know I'm not learning already? Come away; we've had enough of the water-hole, I think.'
She took his arm, and together they struck across to Ham Gate. But Alfred was
