you been lunching on?"

Aunt Dagon looked a little appalled.

"My dear, what do you mean?" she said, fanning herself violently. "I hope
I never say any thing that isn't true about people. I'm sure I should be
very sorry to hurt any body's feelings. There's Mrs. Kite--you know,
Joseph Kite's wife, the man they said really did cheat his creditors,
only none of 'em would swear to it; well, Kitty Kite, my dear, does do
and say the most abominable things about people. At the Shrimps' ball,
when you were waltzing with Mr. Dinks, I heard her say to Mrs. Orry, 'Do
look at Fanny Newt hug that man!' It was dreadful to hear her say such
things, my dear; and then to see the whole room stare at you! It was
cruel--it was really unfeeling."

Fanny did not wince. She merely said,

"How old is Mrs. Kite, Aunt Dagon?"

"Well, let me see; she's about my age, I suppose."

"Oh! well, Aunt, people at her time of life can't see or hear much, you
know. They ought to be in their beds with hot bottles at their feet, and
not obtrude themselves among people who are young enough to enjoy life
with all their senses," replied Miss Fanny, carelessly arranging a stray
lock of hair.

"Indeed, Miss, you would like to shove all the married people into the
wall, or into their graves," retorted Mrs. Dagon, warmly.