gentlemen is most particular about underclothes, stockings and
shoes?"

"It's a matter of utter indifference to me what the 'gentlemen'
think," said Mavis with conviction.

"Go on!"

"Very well, if you don't believe me, you needn't."

"Here, I say, what are you?" asked Miss Ewer. "Tell me, and then
we'll know where we stand."

"Tell you what?"

"Are you a naughty girl or a straight girl?"

"What do you mean?"

"Straight girls is them as only takes presents like silk stockings
an' gloves from the gentlemen, like them girls in 'Dawes'."

"Girls in 'Dawes'!" echoed Mavis.

"They do a lot of 'arm; but yet you can't blame 'em: gentlemen will
pay for anything rather than plank money down to them naughty girls
as live by it."

"While I'm here, do you mind talking about something else?" asked
Mavis angrily.