thrust the curling-irons into the fire in a minute, and looked round
at the ladies with such a fascinating grace, that both, now made
acquainted with his quality, blushed and giggled, and were quite
pleased. Mamma looked at 'Gina, and 'Gina looked at mamma; and then
mamma gave 'Gina a little blow in the region of her little waist,
and then both burst out laughing, as ladies will laugh, and as, let
us trust, they may laugh for ever and ever. Why need there be a
reason for laughing? Let us laugh when we are laughy, as we sleep
when we are sleepy. And so Mrs. Crump and her demoiselle laughed to
their hearts' content; and both fixed their large shining black eyes
repeatedly on Mr. Walker.

"I won't leave the room," said he, coming forward with the heated
iron in his hand, and smoothing it on the brown paper with all the
dexterity of a professor (for the fact is, Mr. W. every morning
curled his own immense whiskers with the greatest skill and care)--
"I won't leave the room, Eglantine my boy. My lady here took me for
a hairdresser, and so, you know, I've a right to stay."

"He can't stay," said Mrs. Crump, all of a sudden, blushing as red
as a peony.

"I shall have on my peignoir, Mamma," said Miss, looking at the
gentleman, and then dropping down her eyes and blushing too.

"But he can't stay, 'Gina, I tell you: do you think that I would,
before a gentleman, take off my--"

"Mamma means her FRONT!" said Miss, jumping up, and beginning to
laugh with all her might; at which the honest landlady of the