“No, no, my leetle lady; it vas the ear-ache vat made me tie up my ear.”
“Did you wear an apron, and did you sew?” continued Lady Jane, very curious to know in what ways he was different.
“Vear an apron!” exclaimed Gex, holding up his hands. “Vhy, bless your leetle heart, I dressed like one gentleman. I vore the black clothes, fine and glossy. I vas one neat leetle man. My hair vas black and curly and, you von’t believe it, I’m afraid you von’t believe it, but I vore the silk hose, and leetle fine shoes tied vith one ribbon, and one gold chain across my vaistcoat, and one ring on that finger,” and Gex touched one of his hard and shrunken digits my way of emphasis.
“Did you, Mr. Gex,—oh, did you?” and Lady Jane’s eyes glistened, and her little face was one smile of delight. “Oh, how nice you must have looked! But you didn’t have a fruit-stall then?”
“No, indeed; no, indeed; I vas in one fine business. I vas fashionable then; I vas one fine leetle gentleman.”
“Mr. Gex, what did you do?” cried Lady Jane, in a little, shrill, impetuous voice, for her curiosity had reached the climax. “I want to know what you did, when you curled your hair and wore a gold chain.”
“I vas one professeur, leetle lady. I vas one professeur.”
“One professeur! Oh, what is one professeur?” cried Lady Jane impatiently.
“He is one gentleman vhat does teach.”
“Then you taught music. Oh, I’ve guessed it,—you taught music,” and Lady Jane looked at him admiringly. “Now I know why you like it so much!”