Surely you can spare me a little bit--just off the skirt, or somewhere, you know, Miss Smithers?
It never will be missed, and it is so _very_ important." Augusta blushed, and no wonder.

"I am sorry to say I have nothing of the sort about me, Mr.Meeson--nothing except flannel," she said.

"I got up in the middle of the night before the collision, and there was no light in the cabin, and I put on whatever came first, meaning to come back and dress afterwards when it got light." "Stays!" said Mr.Meeson, desperately.

"Forgive me for mentioning them, but surely you put on your stays?
One could write on them, you know." "I am very sorry, Mr.Meeson," she answered, "but I did not put any on." "Not a cuff or a collar ?" he said, catching at a last straw of hope.
Augusta shook her head sadly.
"Then there is an end of it!" groaned Mr.Meeson.

"Eustace must lose the money.