“One lump, or two?”
     “Just one dearie, this tea is just marvellous!”
     “I am glad it is to your taste, but I do not particularly like it. Do you not find it too strong?”
     “I am quite fond of the strength. I daresay it is bold and resolute.”
     “You can have it; I prefer my ginger tea.”
     “Now, where did you get it?”
     “My uncle sent it from the East, along with the new curtains.”
     “I was going to comment on them. They are of a very busy sort of pattern, are they not?”
      “ Oh…I suppose one can say they are.”
      “That uncle you were speaking of, is that on your late husband’s side, or yours?”
     “Ah, his side.”
     “It is all well for him to send you presents, but if he has enough capital to invest over there, he should be supporting you and your daughter.”
      “But…it is not really his responsibility, you see. I have been widowed almost ten years-there is not really a tie between us anymore. I am glad that he still thinks about us once in awhile.”
      “You do not need to be shy or polite. We all know that when your husband died you lost your fortune. That uncle should be helping Mattie find a husband who will take her without a fortune.”
     “We will be fine, I suppose. There are worse things than being single, anyway.”
     “Speaking of your daughter, how is Mattie?”
     “Matilda is well.”
     “My Judy is quite well also; she has been chasing her admirer all around town lately.”
     “Oh yes, young Mr. Evans, I heard.”
     “They are quite the pair-they met last year at his father’s funeral, and he is just been so taken by her.”
     “Judith is very fortunate, then.”
     “You do not sound very happy. What ever is the matter?”
     “Oh, it is just that, you must know, what everyone is saying?”
     “Spit it out.”
     “That she has been seen as courting him instead of Mr. Evans courting her?”
     “Missy, it is 1841! Things are bound to change! Charles-I mean, Mr. Evans, he is very fond of my daughter. She constantly calls on him and she takes his arm and leads him around the park-they are just the sweetest pair! Have you ever met Mr. Evans?”
     “Why, yes I have. My late husband and his late father were business partners, and we were neighbours in the country. When Matilda was a child, the younger Mr. Evans was a few years older, and they would play together.”
      “Bless me, I seem to have forgotten that! Everyone thought Mr. Evans would grow up and marry Mattie. Well, how things have changed since my Judith has come along! She just swept him up under her spell of beauty and I am afraid he will not be pleased to let her go easily. And you do have to admit, Mattie does not have any money backing her, but I am sure someone will be willing to settle for her. Judy does have her London connections and all her-”
     “I do not think you should speak like that.”
     “Pardon me? Have I offended you?”
     “She does not love him.”
     “Mattie? What-”
     “Judith.”
     “You are absolutely absurd! What has gotten in to you?”
     “And Charles does not love her.”
     “How dare you!”
     “You know it is true. You made Judith do it.”
      “I should strike you, but I shall be a good Christian and let God do it for me. I am leaving.”
     “You both just want his money. Ever since his father’s funeral you  have been swooping like a hawk to rip him from Matilda. That was true love. It is true love, because Mr. Evans has not forgotten it. Judith does not love him, and he does not love her, he just does not know how to send her away.”
     “My Judy is a virtuous, God-fearing, pure-”
     “Pure like a chamber pot. Were you not leaving?”
     “I-I…”
     “You do not look so well.”
     “I feel faint. H-how d-d-dare you! My constitution cannot take this abuse.”
     “Take another sip of tea.”
     “I will not!”
     “Well, breaking my tea cup was uncalled for. Just die quietly, the poison will work soon enough. If you did not talk so much you would be dead by now.”
     “You are doing…this for Mattie?”
     “Oh, no. She does not know. And her name is Matilda, please. I am merely making the playing field…fairer. If you are going to insist on dying on the floor, please get off the carpet, you are bleeding from your mouth. Right there, see?”
    “She has more charm-she will s-still get him…this will only make him f-feel for her-ha!”
     “Not if she accepts my invitation.”
     “W-what?…no…”
     “I knew she would be at that tawdry theatre, so I called on her this morning. I left my card and no doubt she will be here soon. Just enough time for me to shove your corpse in the closet. I count on her being the oblivious cow that she is and drink more than her courteous share.”
     “J-Jud..ith…”
     “Tea-time is over, if you do not mind terribly.”