" The
conversation then became more audible, and was carried on at considerable
length. I should perplex myself and the reader by endeavouring to follow
the ingenious perversity of all they said; enough, that in the course of
time the visit came to an end, and Mahaina took her leave receiving
affectionate embraces from all the ladies. I had remained in the
background after the first ceremony of introduction, for I did not like
the looks of Mahaina, and the conversation displeased me. When she left
the room I had some consolation in the remarks called forth by her
departure.
At first they fell to praising her very demurely. She was all this that
and the other, till I disliked her more and more at every word, and
inquired how it was that the straighteners had not been able to cure her
as they had cured Mr. Nosnibor.
There was a shade of significance on Mrs. Nosnibor's face as I said this,
which seemed to imply that she did not consider Mahaina's case to be
quite one for a straightener. It flashed across me that perhaps the poor
woman did not drink at all. I knew that I ought not to have inquired,
but I could not help it, and asked point blank whether she did or not.
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