"Rose is a beauty; everybody says so.

She's the prettiest girl that ever set foot in this town." "Everybody to their taste," replied Mrs.Jim Jones, in the village formula of contempt.

"I heard Mr.Allen, your boarder, was going to marry her," she added.
"He ain't." "I'm glad to hear it from headquarters," said Mrs.Jim Jones.

"I said I couldn't believe it was true." "Mr.Allen won't marry any girl in East Westland," said Sylvia.
"Is there anybody in Boston ?" asked Mrs.Jim Jones, losing her self-possession a little.
Sylvia played her trump card.

"I don't know anything--that is, I ain't going to say anything," she replied, mysteriously.
Mrs.Jim Jones was routed for a second, but she returned to the attack.