The maiden of, er-forty or so, was much upset.

Quoth she to a younger friend:

‘Kate talks so outrageously. Yesterday she actually told me I was
nothing but a hopeless old maid.

‘That’s pretty frank! exclaimed the friend.

‘Yes; wasn’t it unladylike of her?

‘It certainly was rude, agreed the other. ‘Still, it’s better than
having her tell lies about you.