up quite enough for her already. And she must give herself airs over
my custards! Oh, I saw her mincing with the spoon as if she was
chewing sand. What do you say?

"SHE PRAISED MY PLUM-PUDDING?

"Who asked her to praise it? Like her impudence, I think!

"Yes, a pretty day I've passed. I shall not forget this wedding-day,
I think! And as I say, a pretty speech you made in the way of
thanks. No, Caudle, if I was to live a hundred years--you needn't
groan, Mr. Caudle, I shall not trouble you half that time--if I was
to live a hundred years, I should never forget it. Never! You
didn't even so much as bring one of your children into your speech.
And--dear creatures!--what have THEY done to offend you? No; I shall
not drive you mad. It's you, Mr. Caudle, who'll drive me mad.
Everybody says so.

"And you suppose I didn't see how it was managed that you and THAT
Miss Prettyman were always partners at whist?

"HOW WAS IT MANAGED?

"Why, plain enough. Of course you packed the cards, and could cut
what you liked. You'd settled that between you. Yes; and when she
took a trick, instead of leading off a trump--she play whist,
indeed!--what did you say to her, when she found it was wrong? Oh--
it was impossible that HER heart should mistake! And this, Mr.
Caudle, before people--with your own wife in the room!