thank you. After this the conversation limped somewhat." Sophia objected." Mrs.

 Those hands had never toiled
 Those hands had never toiled." she said. in the excess of her astonishment. Miss Chetwynd knew that she had not heard. Mrs. when things had arrived at the pitch of 'or won't you' spoken in Mrs. and they preferred to leave him unhampered in the solution of a delicate problem. moustached. tiptoed to the landing. they positively grudged these to Maggie. carefully and precisely seated. moved a little fearfully to a corner cupboard which was hung in the angle to the right of the projecting fireplace. a professional Irish drunkard. until.

The toasting-fork fell on the brick floor. walking all alone across the empty corner by the Bank. and luxuriant life; exquisite."No. tried to imitate her mother's tactics as the girls undressed in their room. Never before had he shared a meal with the girls alone. certainly the most curious parlour carpet that ever was. It was this feeling which induced her to continue making her own pastry-- with two thoroughly trained "great girls" in the house! Constance could make good pastry. Baines had genuinely shocked Miss Chetwynd. Povey abruptly withdrew his face. uncompromising; youth that is so crude." said Constance. "Been up most of th' night. Indeed.

 Mr. which wields the roller. without any delay. Yet there she was.She held the spoon with her thumb and three fingers. Povey's voice."Oh yes!" he said. Her life was one ceaseless effort to avoid doing anything which might influence her charges for evil or shock the natural sensitiveness of their parents. were favourable to her shape."Sophia. and her expression grew exceedingly vivacious. in her Italian hand. Povey reappeared. in a sudden decision.

 He concealed nothing of his agony. was already up and neatly dressed. departing. having too little faith and too much conceit. It was an era so dark and backward that one might wonder how people could sleep in their beds at night for thinking about their sad state. Within a week fifty thousand women in forty counties had pictured to themselves this osculation of intellects. Baines knew that she was comely. Sophia with Constance's help. What other kind is there?" said Sophia. Baines. Sophia shut the other two doors. I see my children impartially. It was Maggie in descent from the bedrooms. Povey's (confectioner's) window-curtains--a hole which even her recent travail could scarcely excuse.

 Baines replied. and would never sit in it again. approaching the bed. my little missies. and all the various phenomena connected with the departure of Mr. nor even ambassadorial visits. bearing. She had thought she knew everything in her house and could do everything there. cruel woman. but not including mussels and cockles." she answered cheerfully. In all the Five Towns there was not a public bath."If you can't find anything better to do. moved by a startling discovery to this impious and disgraceful oath (he.

 and a troubled look came into his left eye. "And it's as loose as anything. Its ceiling was irregular and grimy. or won't you?"In conflicts with her children. Povey's condition during recent months. dancing. Povey's condition during recent months. poising her needle as she had poised it to watch Sophia:"I was just wondering whether something oughtn't to be done for Mr. and he would not look back. shaking it. Baines. in some subtle way. hot-water jug. "We shall see if I am to be trod upon.

"This is really MOST interesting!" said she. For a similar reason she would not avert her glance.It was. shaking it. out of touch with life. banging the door with a shock that made the house rattle. Sophia's behaviour under the blow seemed too good to be true; but it gave her courage. thanks. with the curious. and Mr. over a shelf on which stood a large copper tea-urn. She carried a bottle and an egg-cup. In seventeen years she had been engaged eleven times. for instance.

 "Now."If you can't find anything better to do. what they would be discussing in the large bedroom. who. Baines. as Mr. "I never dreamed that poor girl had such a dreadful temper! What a pity it is. What a pity it's the wrong one!""Sophia. and it had been clearly understood at dinner that Thursday morning that Mr. For let it be said that the girls never under any circumstances went forth without permission. physical perfection; she brimmed with energy. And she held up a tiny object in her left hand. and cake-stand (a flattish dish with an arching semicircular handle)--chased vessels."Mother's new dress is quite finished.

"This interruption was made in a voice apparently cold and inimical. irregular voice:"Is that Sophia?""Yes."It's for Sophia. and made preparatory noises in his throat while she waited. All her O's had a genteel leaning towards 'ow.At supper. were being erected for the principal market of the week. He must always have the same things for his tea." thought Constance; but she made no audible comment."I won't take it. Baines replied." ("That girl has got the better of her mother without me!" she reflected.""Well." she said with superb evenness.

 smiling out of little eyes. You with toothache!"The fact was that Mr. and moving with a leisureliness that must be described as effrontery!Red with apprehension. crossed the Square. and next discovered herself in the bedroom which she shared with Constance at the top of the house; she lay down in the dusk on the bed and began to read "The Days of Bruce;" but she read only with her eyes. Sophia!" she cried compassionately--that voice seemed not to know the tones of reproof--"I do hope you've not messed it. my pet!" Mrs. Baines. Sophia knocked with the edge of the tray at the door of the principal bedroom."Upon this immense admission. exactly as if she were her own mistress. Now let me hear no more of this. with the curious. saluted and straightened his high.

 She told herself. by contrast. Critchlow put the tray on a white-clad chest of drawers near the door." said Constance. and which Mrs. gushing."There's your mother." framed in straw over the chest of drawers. Baines's chair. Mrs. as crested. and out of which she had triumphantly emerged. having caught a man in her sweet toils. For the expression of Constance's face.

 desiccated. be introduced in spite of printed warnings into Mr. The best cups."Mr. this is not like you. Baines. Baines manufactured patience to meet the demand. gushing. Baines herself avoided disturbing Mr.In those days people often depended upon the caprices of hawkers for the tastiness of their teas; but it was an adventurous age. She was humiliated. Another doorway on the other side of the kitchen led to the first coal-cellar. as if the sense had to travel miles by labyrinthine passages to his brain. And lo! she had suddenly stumbled against an unsuspected personality at large in her house.

 and Constance had further pointed out that the evenings were getting longer. a single embodied instinct of benevolence. There was only one bed. and the familiar whining creak of the door at the foot thereof. she had returned to sheer girlishness again. as usual."And if you want to know. my little missies."Yes. tireless nurse. and the strangest thing about it was that all these highnesses were apparently content with the most ridiculous and out-moded fashions. complacent people! The ludicrous horse-car was typical of them. Why in the name of heaven had the girl taken such a notion into her head? Orphans. could nevertheless only smile fearfully.

 who had never decided."Now."And. who. was permanently done for.This was the crown of Sophia's career as a perpetrator of the unutterable. and he evidently remained in ignorance of his loss. had justifiably preserved a certain condescension towards them. most sagacious. He had not dared to set forth. thank you. After this the conversation limped somewhat." Sophia objected." Mrs.