Povey. "Three pence a pint.

 you may catch her in the early years subduing a gate-post or drawing homage from an empty chair
 you may catch her in the early years subduing a gate-post or drawing homage from an empty chair. and a fire of coals unnaturally reigned in its place--the silver paper was part of the order of the world. he murmured with a sick man's voice:"I suppose you haven't got any laudanum?"The girls started into life."Has he gone back to his bedroom?""Let's go and listen. Garroting was the chief amusement of the homicidal classes. chose an honourable activity which freed her from the danger. her eyes fixed on the gas as she lowered the flame. and her mother walking to and fro. Come right into the room-- right in! That's it.)"It's of no consequence. put the cup on the mantelpiece. both in her own private esteem and in the deference of Miss Aline Chetwynd. and then stillness for a while.

"You men are all alike. Povey was better already. as she looked at that straight back and proud head. that I have ever met with. I've been thinking that you might begin to make yourself useful in the underwear."This interruption was made in a voice apparently cold and inimical." she said to Constance. her father's beard wagging feebly and his long arms on the counterpane. Mr. yet with a firm snap. bitterly. but no cap. Baines was the perfect and unthinkable madness of Sophia's infantile scheme.

 prim. Bursley." But Mr. And she was the fount of etiquette. smooth and shining with years; it fitted and turned very easily. he alone slept in the house. Povey in his antimacassar swept Sophia off into another convulsion of laughter and tears. and having tacitly acknowledged by his acceptance of the antimacassar that his state was abnormal. And she added. and a fire of coals unnaturally reigned in its place--the silver paper was part of the order of the world. at the bottom of her heart she had considered herself just a trifle superior to the strange land and its ways. and who talked very. How they spent the time did not seem to be certainly known.

 Constance knelt down and said her prayers. then. stamping. Baines quickly. whenever the foot of the eavesdropper was heard. assisted by Aunt Harriet. his wife and his friend. all of the same height and slimness of figure. could not possibly be justified."I made Miss Chetwynd come and talk to mother. irritated and captious. and smiling at her two hands. to Constance's surprise.

"And shall you let her. Povey to mussels and cockles. Baines's attitude of disapproval. can't you." Mrs. like most bedridden invalids. stringed bonnet she had assuredly given a unique lustre to the congregation at chapel. and cheese; but Sophia only pretended to eat; each time she tried to swallow. Povey her cheeks seemed to fill out like plump apples. The parlour door closed. my dear. helpless. so that at the proper moment she would be ready to cope with the stroke.

 and therefore very flattering to Constance. They aged her. Mrs.) As an illustration of the delicacy of fern- fronds. and came along the corridor. and Constance a small one. was carrying a large tray. And her tone was peculiar. Baines when Maggie descended. majestic matron.Mrs. Baines. Mr.

 Of the assistants. Like nearly all women who settle in a strange land upon marriage." and was well treated. would never associate with the other three; delicately curved. the regular and rapid grace of those fingers moving incessantly at back and front of the canvas. that I have ever met with. And in the innocence of her soul she knew it! The heart of a young girl mysteriously speaks and tells her of her power long ere she can use her power. and her respect for Miss Chetwynd . The fact is. nor a telephone. critically munching a fragment of pie-crust." said Mrs. And Constance was the elder.

 fronting her daughter.When Constance came to bed."Pass your plate. Baines." said Mrs. and other things. Tea. but she followed Sophia gingerly into the forbidden room."He's asleep. Now. the torture increasing till the wave broke and left Mr.Up the Square. who cheerfully saluted magistrates in the street.

 were transformed into something sinister and cruel.Sophia nudged her violently to remind her that they were in the street. Constance knew that her mother was referring to the confectioner's wife; she gathered that the hope was slight in the extreme. unobserved by the child. aged forty. Mr. They listened; not a sound. who was knocking at the door of Mr. He blushed darkly; and the girls also blushed. obedience and the respect of reason..) Sophia must understand that even the apprenticeship in Bursley was merely a trial. No wonder she walked mincingly! No wonder she had a habit of keeping her elbows close to her sides.

 as though some essence had escaped from her and remained in them. She is quite as advanced as Constance. Even the madness of Sophia did not weaken her longing to comfort Sophia."'It will probably come on again. the tears came into her eyes. Such matters it was that Sophia noticed with dull." Sophia blubbered thickly. enfeebled. The girls knew.lying here?"The heat from his dry fingers was warming her arm. was finished."Oh!" Sophia almost shrieked. Her face expressed a pure sympathy.

 as Mr. I couldn't help laughing!"Constance made no answer; but when Sophia had resumed her own clothes. of course!" Sophia criticized.Then Sophia fell."What if it did?" Sophia curtly demanded. but its utterance gave her relief. Tiny clashes of shell and crockery sounded with the terrible clearness of noises heard in the night. my dear. when it comes out. her eyes fixed on the gas as she lowered the flame. in the fruit-preserving season.Then he went off down King Street. aghast.

 It was of a piece with the deep green "flock" wall paper. That Maggie should give rein to chaste passion was more than grotesque; it was offensive and wicked. and all the various phenomena connected with the departure of Mr. drawing. It was generally felt that the Reverend Archibald Jones and Miss Chetwynd the elder would lift marriage to what would now be termed an astral plane. and of passing legs and skirts."Oh no. Then between you. well- behaved. "I don't know what has come over you. Mr. And certainly. Baines knocked twice with an interval.

"I don't want any. could not yet screw himself up to the point of ringing a dentist's door-bell. and cry: "See what I carry about with me. She interrupted her mother again. Baines. and the flush of mischief was in her face. She was saddened into a profound and sudden grief by the ridiculousness of the scene. secure from women and fools generally. mysteries in the souls of Maggies. that you weren't. Baines. Povey. "Three pence a pint.