"'You went, Susan,' says he; 'you know it was your own idea.'

"'Don't you remind me too much of the circumstances,' replies she,
turning on him with a look in her eyes that was probably new to him, 'I
went because there wasn't room for two of us; you know that. The other
kind suited you better. Now I'm going to see whether you suit me,' and
she sits herself again in her landlady's chair.

"'In what way?' says he.

"'In the way of earning your living,' says she, 'and starting on the road
to becoming a decent member of society.'

"He stood for a while cogitating.

"'Don't you think,' says he at last, 'as I could manage this hotel for
you?'

"'Thanks,' says she; 'I'm doing that myself.'

"'What about looking to the financial side of things,' says he, 'and
keeping the accounts? It's hardly your work.'

"'Nor yours either,' answers she drily, 'judging by the way you've been
keeping your own.'

"'You wouldn't like me to be head-waiter, I suppose?' says he. 'It would
be a bit of a come-down.'