“Poor thing,” said Mrs. Church, in a voice which made Mrs. Banks itch to slap her. “I knew a lady once just the same, but _she_ was a drinking woman.” Again Mrs. Banks, at a loss for words, looked at her daughter for assistance. “Dear me, how dreadful it must be to know such people,” said Mrs. Banks, shivering. “Yes,” sighed the other. “It used to make me feel sorry for her—they were utterly shapeless, you know. Horrid!” “That’s how Mrs. Banks’ are,” said the Captain, nodding sagely. “You look ’ot, Mrs. Banks. Shall I open the winder a bit?” “I’ll thank you not to talk about me like that, Captain Barber,” said Mrs. Banks, the flowers on her hat trembling. “As you please, ma’am,” said Captain Barber, with a stateliness which deserved a better subject. “I was only repeating what Dr. Hodder told me in your presence.” Mrs. Banks made no reply, but created a diversion by passing her cup up for more tea; her feelings, when Mrs. Church took off the lid of the teapot and poured in about a pint of water before helping her, belonging to that kind known as in-describable. “Water bewitched, and tea begrudged,” she said, trying to speak jocularly. “Well, the fourth cup never is very good, is it,” said Mrs. Church, apologetically. “I’ll put some more tea in, so that your _next_ cup’ll be better.” As a matter of fact it was Mrs. Banks’ third cup, and she said so, Mrs. Church receiving the correction with a polite smile, more than tinged with incredulity. “It’s wonderful what a lot of tea is drunk,” said Captain Barber, impressively, looking round the table. “I’ve heard say it’s like spirit drinking,” said Mrs. Church; “they say it gets such a hold of people that they can’t give it up. They’re just slaves to it, and they like it brown and strong like brandy.” Mrs. Banks, who had been making noble efforts, could contain herself no longer. She put down the harmless beverage which had just been handed to her, and pushed her chair back from the table. “Are you speaking of me, young woman?” she asked, tremulous with indignation. “Oh, no, certainly not,” said Mrs. Church, in great distress. “I never thought of such a thing. I was alluding to the people Captain Barber was talking of—regular tea-drinkers, you know.” “I know what you mean, ma’am,” said Mrs. Banks fiercely. “There, there,” said Captain Barber, ill-advisedly. “Don’t you say ‘there, there,’ to me, Captain Barber, because I won’t have it,” said the old lady, speaking with great rapidity; “if you think that I’m going to sit here and be insulted by—by that woman, you’re mistaken.” “You’re quite mistook, Mrs. Banks,” said the Captain, slowly. “I’ve heard everything she said, and, where the insult comes in, I’m sure I don’t know. I don’t think I’m wanting in common sense, ma’am.”