"And pray what do _you_ know about it ?" she demanded.
Then momma put in her oar, taking most unguardedly a privilege of relationship.

"Of course, you are the best judge of how you feel yourself, Aunt Caroline, but we are told there are some steps to ascend when we get there--and you know how fleshy you are." In the instant of ominous silence which occurred while Mrs.Portheris was getting her chin into the angle of its greatest majesty, Mr.
Mafferton considerately walked to the door.

When it was accomplished she looked at momma sideways and down her nose, precisely in the manner of the late Mr.Du Maurier's ladies in _Punch_, in the same state of mind.

She might have sat or stood to him.

It was another ideal realised.
"That is the latest, the very latest Americanism which I have observed in your conversation, Augusta.