Bingham's. They began to talk of Mrs. Fairfax
directly they had tasted the hot buttered toast. They had before them
the following facts: the carrier's deposition that the goods came from
Great Ormond Street; the lay-figure and what it wore; Mrs. Fairfax's
prices; the little girl; the wedding-ring but no widow's weeds; the
Portsmouth postmark; the French book; Mrs. Bingham's new gown, and
lastly--a piece of information contributed by Mrs. Sweeting and
considered to be of great importance, as we shall see presently--that
Mrs. Fairfax bought her coffee whole and ground it herself. On these
facts, nine in all, the ladies had to construct--it was imperative that
they should construct it--an explanation of Mrs. Fairfax, and it must be
confessed that they were not worse equipped than many a picturesque and
successful historian. At the request of the company, Mrs. Bingham went
upstairs and put on the gown.
"Do you mind coming to the window, Mrs. Bingham?" asked Mrs. Harrop.
Mrs. Bingham rose and went to the window. Her guests also rose.
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