Fox flushed, turning crimson to the roots of her hair, and for one instant she had the wild impulse to tell Mrs. Elspeth Fry, nee Thomas, exactly who was trying to court her. Wouldn't that give the self-satisfied damsel something to ponder? Cold-hearted, that was what she was, and shrewish to boot.
"Oi!" she said, and those slumped shoulders pulled themselves back almost painfully fast. "You've got no cause to talk to me like that. I apologized, didn't I? It's a sight more than you'd get from most of the blokes here, no matter their indiscretion. I might be naught but a workin' man, Missus, but even a workin' man can correct his rudenesses. More than I can say for your sort."
Apparently not even the infatuation could cover up pure stubbornness, and even though her feelings were hurt, Fox pulled herself up straight and held herself that way under the scorn. She'd been raised to walk with her head up, and if she tended to overdo it with the humble behavior, it was only out of a desire not to stand out in a crowd. But this was too much!