“There are not many things more important, I can tell you, if you think one has got into your ear. They say it creeps into your brain and eats it up--and all sorts of horrible things. I was talking of going to the Cliff to see what those girls were about, and what Stella has to say for herself.” “To the Cliff!” Mrs. Shanks said. “Well,” said her neighbour sharply, “did you mean to give them up without even asking what they had to say for themselves?” “I--give them up?--I never thought of such a thing. You go so fast, Ruth Mildmay. It was only yesterday I heard of this talk, which never should have gone from me. At the worst it’s a thing that might be gossiped about; but to give them up----” “You wouldn’t, I suppose,” said Miss Mildmay sternly, “countenance depravity--if it was proved to be true.” “If what was proved to be true? What is it they say against her?” Mrs. Shanks cried. But this was not so easy to tell, for nobody had said anything except the fact which everybody knew. “You know what is said as well as I do,” said Miss Mildmay. “Are you going? Or do you intend to drop them? That is what I want to know.” “Has any one dropped them, yet?” her friend asked. There was a tremble in her hand which held the dahlias. She was probably scattering earwigs on every side, paying no attention. And her colour had not yet come back. It was very rarely that a question of this importance came up between the two neighbours. “Has Lady Jane said anything?” she asked in tones of awe. “I don’t know and I don’t care,” cried Miss Mildmay boldly; for, maiden lady as she was, and poor, she was one of those who did not give in to Lady Jane. “For my part, I want to hear more about it before I decide what to do.” “And so should I too,” said Mrs. Shanks, though still with bated breath. “Oh, Ruth Mildmay, I do not think I could ever have the heart! Such a little thing, and no mother, and such a father as Mr. Tredgold! I think it is going to rain this afternoon. I should not mind for once having the midge if you will share it, and going to call, and see what we can see.”