Miss Mackenzie explained that she had no share in the business; and then blundered on, saying how Mr Rubb had come down to Littlebath about money transactions between her and her brother. "Oh, indeed," said Mr Maguire; and before he had done, he knew very well that Mr Rubb had borrowed money of Miss Mackenzie. "Now, Mrs Fuzzybell, what are we to do?" said Miss Todd, as soon as the tea-things were gone. "We shall do very well," said Mrs Fuzzybell; "we'll have a little conversation." "If we could all banish decorum, like Mr Rubb, and amuse ourselves, wouldn't it be nice? I quite agree with you, Mr Rubb; decorum is a great bore; it prevents our playing cards to-night." "As for cards, I never play cards myself," said Mr Rubb. "Then, when I throw decorum overboard, it sha'n't be in company with you, Mr Rubb." "We were always taught to think that cards were objectionable." "You were told they were the devil's books, I suppose," said Miss Todd. "Mother always objected to have them in the house," said Mr Rubb. "Your mother was quite right," said Mr Maguire; "and I hope that you will never forget or neglect your parent's precepts. I'm not meaning to judge you, Miss Todd--" "But that's just what you are meaning to do, Mr Maguire." "Not at all; very far from it. We've all got our wickednesses and imperfections." "No, no, not you, Mr Maguire. Mrs Fuzzybell, you don't think that Mr Maguire has any wickednesses and imperfections?" "I'm sure I don't know," said Mrs Fuzzybell, tossing her head. "Miss Todd," said Mr Maguire, "when I look into my own heart, I see well how black it is. It is full of iniquity; it is a grievous sore that is ever running, and will not be purified." "Gracious me, how unpleasant!" said Miss Todd. "I trust that there is no one here who has not a sense of her own wickedness." "Or of his," said Miss Todd. "Or of his," and Mr Maguire looked very hard at Mr Fuzzybell. Mr Fuzzybell was a quiet, tame old gentleman, who followed his wife's heels about wherever she went; but even he, when attacked in this way, became very fierce, and looked back at Mr Maguire quite as severely as Mr Maguire looked at him. "Or of his," continued Mr Maguire; "and therefore far be it from me to think hardly of the amusements of other people. But when this gentleman tells me that his excellent parent warned him against the fascination of cards, I cannot but ask him to remember those precepts to his dying bed." "I won't say what I may do later in life," said Mr Rubb. "When he becomes like you and me, Mrs Fuzzybell," said Miss Todd. "When one does get older," said Mr Rubb. "And has succeeded in throwing off all decorum," said Miss Todd. "How can you say such things?" asked Miss Baker, who was shocked by the tenor of the conversation.