"None in the world! I have done very well; I have plenty for both of us. But it was so good for her, and she was enjoying it so, I hadn't the heart to say 'Stop! Sit down, fold your hands, be a Young Lady of Cyrus'--Beg pardon, Almy! You know I always loved it, if it did stifle me!--when she was so gallant and having such a wonderful time. I pay enough to make it easy for her, _with_ the business, you see. A single woman without a trade is a dog without a tail, my dear; you know that! What are you flashing at, Almeria Bygood? Have people been saying--_they have!_ Transparency, thy name is Almy! They have been saying that I am--I suppose you would never speak to me again if I should say 'bumming' on Kitty!" "The expression is new to me!" Miss Almeria stiffened for an instant, then flashed again. "Of course, Josie--" the diminutive slipped out unaware--"Egeria and I--in fact, all your friends knew it was absurd to suppose for a moment that--that you would think of any such thing; but--well, you know there are persons, even in Cyrus, of suspicious nature; in short, my dear, I am glad to be able to make a positive statement to the effect----" "Ah, but you aren't!" Johanna Ross turned a face a-twinkle with mischief. "You aren't able to make any statement at all, Almy. I don't authorize it! No!" as Miss Almeria exclaimed, protesting. "You are not to say a single word. Let Cyrus sup full on my iniquities! My dear soul, when I say Cyrus in this sense, of course I mean the Sharpes, and I know as well as you that they are really Tinkham, So--Ah! here is Mr. Bygood! Good morning, Mr. Bygood! What can I offer you this morning? Something in the fancy line, my dear Sir? A looking-glass is what you need, to see how handsome you are. Oh! oh! if here is not Marsh Mallow! Marshall, how _do you do_? How do you spell 'fish' nowadays? Do you remember, Almy? He thought 'Psyche' was the queerest way of spelling 'fish' that ever _he_ saw. Ha! ha!"