"They's a gentleman," she went on, with a foolish smile, "a gineral, as
is all taken up with Phenie. He's a great friend o' the President's,
you know, an' they's no knowin' what he _might_ do for the gal, ef
Columbus'd let alone interferin'."
"Then Phenie has told you of her new acquaintance?" I said, much
relieved.
Mrs. Angel looked at me blankly.
"Lord, no!" she answered, "_she_ never let on! No, indeed! But I knowed
it--I knowed it all along. Sam Weaver's gal, _she_ told me about it. I
knowed she was keepin' company with him, kind o'."
"And you said nothing to Phenie?"
"Lord, no! Gals is bashful, Mis' Lawrence. No, indeed!"
"Nor say a word of all this to Columbus?" I asked again.
"What fur?" said Mrs. Angel, imperturbably.