'I beg your parding, young man,' said Mrs. Raddle,in a cold perspiration of anger. 'But will you have the goodness just to call me that again, sir?'
'I didn't make use of the word in any invidious sense, ma'am,' replied Mr. Benjamin Allen, growing somewhat uneasy on his own account.
'I beg your parding, young man,' demanded Mrs.Raddle, in a louder and more imperative tone. 'But who do you call a woman? Did you make that remark to me, sir?'
'Why, bless my heart!' said Mr. Benjamin Allen.