Mrs.Rexford put up with the latter, was thankful for the former, and wasted no more thoughts on the matter.
Eliza's last remark, however, was a subject for consideration, and with Mrs.Rexford consideration was speech.
"Dear me!" she said.

"Well!" Then she took a few paces backward, dish-cloth and dish still in hand, till she brought herself opposite the next room door.

The long kitchen was rather dark, as the plates were being washed by the light of one candle, but in the next room Captain Rexford and his family were gathered round a table upon which stood lamps giving plenty of light.
The mother addressed the family in general.

"The dentist," said she, "talks to Eliza when she goes to the shop.

Blue and Red! if he should speak to you, you must show the same sense Eliza did, and take not the slightest notice." Sophia had asked what the dentist said to Eliza, and Mrs.Rexford had reproved the girls for laughing, while the head of the family prepared himself to answer in his kindly, leisurely, and important way.
"To 'take not the slightest notice' is, perhaps, requiring more of such young heads than might be possible.