Now he was again at Mrs. Pipkin's door, and again it was opened by Ruby Ruggles. His heart was in his mouth as he thought of the things he had to say. "The ladies have come back from Southend, Miss Ruggles?"
"Oh yes, sir, and Mrs. Hurtle is expecting you all the day." Then she put in a whisper on her own account. "You didn't tell him as you'd seen me, Mr. Montague?"
"Indeed I did, Miss Ruggles."
"Then you might as well have left it alone, and not have been ill-natured,--that's all," said Ruby as she opened the door of Mrs. Hurtle's room.

Now he was again at Mrs. Pipkin's door, and again it was opened by Ruby Ruggles. "The ladies have come back from Southend, Miss Ruggles?"
"Oh yes, sir, and Mrs. Hurtle is expecting you." Then she whispered, "You didn't tell him as you'd seen me, Mr. Montague?"
"Indeed I did, Miss Ruggles."
"Then you might have left it alone, that's all," said Ruby as she opened the door of Mrs. Hurtle's room.
