Their technique was perfect and simple. They knew their work. When they kissed a girl, or entered a room, or gazed after a woman, or killed a man in the presence of a woman (while working) they took off their hats. Turned slowly, and took off their hats. They were mannerly, too, outside working hours. They treated Harrietta with boyish politeness — when they noticed her at all.

“Oh, won’t you have this chair, Miss Fuller? I didn’t notice you were standing.”

They didn’t notice she was standing!

“What are you doing, Miss — ah — Fuller? Yes, you did say Fuller. Names — — Are you doing a dowager bit?”

“Dowager bit?”