Still, it took all t day to reac. e mig tation and taken a train: but I t tle money    on    o a place ables for ty markets. e    of traffic, but    a ride, in taking scarlet beans to    sort of face—so I let t toget in t,     a crate, my eyes on ttle nearer. I mig; but I couldnt keep from cco be busier and try o give o palings and c, tches

        kerb-stones.    dreo t ed, tering bills, I reacore free a strip of poster— for a sed, t it fly. It ure of a , ol. It left soot on my fingers. then I knew I was home.

        From    part of Londe to me, but I found I k a fork. Cimes catcook o lead reet, and    ay ted in t s, —he bloody ood.

        tminster, and got our first proper vieo stop.

        ait, g my o my    and turning a o see me so stirred up. But t part of my feelings being over, I began to think.

        e oug to cross ter just yet, I said, as    bump into. Suppose    a    fifteen to o do    t of til no me, in a new way. C.

        is it, miss? he said.

        Notill be me out by Dr Cie. Lets cut down here.

        I took reet. But t, a dark and narroreet    kind of street to be caugurned instead—rand; and after a time o t tle stalls, selling sed- to t o, and boug a veil. t to me teased me.

        Dont care for a , instead? oo pretty to hide.

        I    my , I said, impatient. Sos my arse.

        C care. I put on t better. It looked badly above my bo and pale print go I t I mig of t    t I said,

        If I get taken by Dr Cies spies before I bring you to Mr Rivers,    do you t, then?

        o t Ludgate    raffic    its .

        to her does he live?

        Not muc all. But,    be careful. I o t us find somew

        e ended up at St Pauls. e    in, and I sat in one of t and looked at tatues. I t, I must only get to Lant Street, and t    of tory t Gentleman mig about ts turned against me? Say I met Jo did not urning; and    be careful. I so study t ious and slo I t of my mot been cautious enoug o her.

        I s Pauls    ts colours, as ternoon turo nig Dr Cies, noo take us doo our suppers. e er, and a pint of tea . . . C beside me. I ly pink.

        te go about icks of brass, lig     in among them, in a gown of his

        own.

        t . It her

        marked by dust.

        how much money have we now, Charles? I said.

        e ook o a pareet, and wo shillings.

        over.

        O a boy in s-sleeves!

        I said    t ba a day or ter, and a cup of tea.

        London s they lovely?

        ans.

        e crossed t Blackfriars, and from t more carefully still. e kept auck to ter even to ep ook, aking me closer to o see certain familiar tain familiar people—a, again, a stir in my , t I t e undo me. turned up to t end of Lant Street and stood looking along it; and my blood rus and my    rose so    I sed against a my il t slower. hick. I said,

        See t black door, C? ts to my oo run to t door; but I s. It aint safe.

        Not safe?    reets—t looked so dear to my eyes I could    o his.

        Not safe, I said again, ill behind us.

        But I looked along treet, at Mr Ibbss door, and t t. It o temptation to go closer to it oo great. I caugood at a    by, and laug my veil. I kneo be afraid again, of being seen, and reised. I t I er all, to reet; t,    I just make a run at t for Mrs Sucksby? Maybe Id . I t say. For I urned, as if to rearrange my bo; and will making up my mind C o , Oh!

        t    my veil reet, ao let someone    leman.    old sloud    clot . cer. I tling. t Mr Ibbss so a stop.    o t of    and dre a key.    against tep—first t, t—to knock t from tted t, and    inside.    all, in t and most familiar way you    imagine.

        I sa my feelings o o    o    ruck    t of    to ill at Dr Cies and mig any momeaken, ser. My breatrangely, in little catc ticed. -sleeves.—Oill said. Oh! Oh!

        t on his cuffs.

        I cauged to run—back, ted to run, more t did. e on, I said. e, quick. t Mr Ibbss door— t of Mrs Sucksby be—t of Gentleman, cool and easy at    be cay, but    Street, but furt. t side. e reac beds? I said, to t t    enoug to t . t last ep    know    was good.

        Got a room? I said quickly.

        Migrying to see beyond my veil.

        At t? I looked up and poi one?

        t one costs more.

        ell    for t tomorrow.

        S sed gin, I kne. All rig to , put tep, and took us up a slippery staircase. to to o it, only a stone for propping it s. ters closed before it, o-side, and tick    to t for opening them.

        You do it like to sopped    care for sunlight.

        For I raig tters tle    in t    for ed; and he door

        beook off my veil and bo myself at t.

        to see, ill s, and Mrs Sucksbys ce a minute before I remembered ding, gazing at me, squeezing ween , and he jumped.

        Sit do my face back^to the window.

        I    my jacket, he said.

        You t . t it tomorrow.

        I dont believe you. You told a lie to t lady, about ook t go pie. t pie made me sick. You    me to a horrible house.

        I    you to London. Aint t ed?

        I t London .

        You    seen t parts yet. Go to sleep. ell get your jacket ba then.

        it? You just gave our so t lady

        I s us anotomorrow.

        how?

        You mustnt ask. Go to sleep. Aint you tired?

        t black .

        take ther.

        t one has red hairs.

        Red     you.

        I    and rub     be about tain. But ter a minute he spoke, and his voice had ged.

        erent Mr Riverss whough? he said.

        erent t tter still. Id say o trim them.

        Dont !

        ting    c t cs keep c mouse- minding t t . t grew dark, and

        treet—t reet, in summer—grey and still, to the floor; a baby cried. A

        girl—sill I

        cruck off t     every one of t last came tening out for ters—still cill ing; but beginning to     I would see—whis happened:

        t and a s nearly fleo bits. e, and saffeta gourned from me, alking to someone else fart t ... I saaking off    to ted o rest it upon tood , and greill. Only    t, It t be her.

        ted    of treet-lamp fell full upon it; and I cried out loud.

        S    turned o look at me, to y street and te a minute. I dont t time. I dont tayed open— I sa last. turned bato took a step ao ed o unfasten t the back of her collar.

        then came darkness.

        I moved back from te face ed

        treetligriking it—on t. I turned from the glass. My cry had woken Charles, and I suppose my look eculiar.

        Miss, ? he said in a whisper.

        I put my h.

        Oook a couple of staggering steps toell me who I am!

        ho, miss?

        Not miss, dont call me missl I never    one.—Oakeake e. Sonight!

        I ran in a kind of fever, back to tter, to look at t I climb to t, creep in, and stab    knife?

        I ran again, and caug up and tried its edge. Not s me, to op, and dre. Like to C edge? e on, e on. Youre t you?

        cerror; trembling fingers, ss good, I said. t s point against . topped. But, dont you t, after all, a deatabbing es rat ougo find a slo of stifling, strangling, beating    ake longer; and oo s tter?

        o tood    it, and begun to quiver.

        — You aint to be at Briar!

        I said, Look at you. You aint t boy had nerve.

        I    Mr Rivers!

        I laug ne quite t you t her. Mr Rivers is a devil and a rogue.

        epped forward. !

        old everyone I was    me in a mad was, signed my order?

        If , it must rue!

        hes a villain.

        Briar said so.

        tten.

        o fists. I dont care! he cried.

        You    to man for a devil?

        Better t, t upon te you!

        And I e you, I said, you fug nancy

        I still one in my    at him.

        It missed    a foot; but t striking t as badly as    t it from me. I touc . I    to C beside ried to push me away.

        Get off me!    care!

        to me, I said, in a steadier voice. I dont e you, truly. And you mustnt e me. I am all youve got. You    your place at Briar, and your aunty dont    you. You t go back to try no my o beaken by ter of a s? Dont cry, fods sake!—o sob.—You t like to cry? I ed, and t ced me    is lying at t in my o er tand. tter of life ah. I was

        fooliso say I    me t, Coo    o t;

        ill g; and no last, I began to cry, too. I put my arm about o my sil, finally, someone in t dan to bang on t for us to stop.

        t afraid, now? Youll sleep, like a good boy?

        oget, and , ed, and h.

        But I kept    nig of Maud, across treet, lying breat perfectly slender, and perfectly we and bare.

        By time t. I stood at tcime but tirring, gave it up. t could .    I needed no it. I made C a parting in it, took ly from took o ec, far enougo risk going about    my veil. I found a spot o.

        Stand    nigs see you do it again.

        Lets w?

        I caug. o snivel. I put my reet, in an anxious    us. I beed them over.

        Please, sir, please, lady, I said. I just e upon try t er.

        you spare a couple of fart    kno know    ers

        cart. —__God bless you, sir! Dont cry, mate! Look, tleman is

        giving you t they . . .?

        Of course, tleman giving ears s. e made t first day—er, on a different street,    got us our suppers. t    over after t I kept, along icket to    my smy jacket, Cimes an ime Id ansomorro one more day . . .

        And tand at tters, my eye at t-sc its s. I , patient as a cracksman. I sao Mr Ibbs: I sa of    face, made me    to    I go to tle later, Id see Gentleman, and be filled again    to stand t tcy, ening up    nigting it doress of it to .

        it tood at, it s frame. And at nigake up my dle and o another.

        t ty, and Mr Ibbs, and Mrs Sucksby; and I dare say Jo spiders, t to be careful, C ie, t Ive escaped? t knoing,

        g for me. Ss clever!—for, in keeping ting, too. t kno.    time . t get me. ell send t    of t! hey, Charles?

        C    dark room, doing not pale, and o gro my jacket, ill said, no of bleat; but I t fotten     for. For at last time    it. eve ed long enougodays our day; and instead of looking pleased, ared and looked frightened.

        Per ain feveris kno seemed to me I    time in my life. I took o atling Street and got    out of pa I kept . took reat, I said. Look out t the shops.

        I found us plaext to a    ay lap. t t my eye, and I smiled.

        Pretty boy, s    sleep for o Bow; now were on our way back.

        roked    ts,    he!

        t stop came, I made C off. t I didnt tle ladies c o C it as t    mige    t? he said.

        Someone gave it to me. I dont believe you. Give me my jacket. In a minute. Give me my coat!

        e    over ts better. Noell me this:    you

        e?

        ansil I o t over; tain, but said t tle furtil ook Co our room and    a a letter. I stood ched.

        rite, Mrs Sucksby, I said.

        ?

        Dont you know?

        e. It looked all rigo me. I said,

        e: /    in t villain your friend—so called!—Gentleman—

        Yoing too fast, e. ilted    villain your friend—

        —so called!—Gentleman; and t bitc make tand out.

        topped. he blushed.

        I    e t word, he said.

        word?

        t B-word.

        ?

        Before Miss Lilly.

        I pi, I said. You e thAN hIM!

        ated; t e.

        ts good. No: Mrs Sucksby, I    ing

        trust er— t leave a space.

        ook te, at ttom, my name.

        Dont look at me! I said, as I did it; tten, and folded the paper up.

        you must do , I said tonigleman—Mr Rivers—leaves t go over, and knock, and ask to see Mr Ibbs. Say youve got a to sell raigall, and trims    be sure,    a brougo o say, "t; If    say, "Gee Joslin, dos." Gee who, down where?

        Gee Joslin, down— Ohis!

        Shings, Jamaica?

        s, he said.

        Good boy.    you c    aint enougoc ake t o look about. ting in a rog-cs Mrs Sucksby, t brougo reacter to , C listen , keep clear of    us. Same goes for a red- viper Miss Maud Lilly is anywand

        me?    If shen we are done

        for.

        te on t and

        looked fearfully at it. ised ood at tced. First came t at an angle and t scarlet clot . I sao be sure; t Charles.

        Put your coat on, I said. Its time.

        urned up his

        collar.

        tter? Very good. Be brave, now. No funny

        stuff. Ill be c fet.

        speak. , and after a moment I sa and stand before Mr Ibbss. o ttle    o er.—Dont look round, you fool! I t,     run from tep. o. But before y. t ing o Mr Ibbs; treet. Like a fool, o see urning tc we ed.

        Say five minutes passed. Say ten.

        did I suppose ,    so , make a sign—I dont kno tayed quiet, and    ty still be. Cood, and quivered. I o    t our

        running.—Dont you run, you fuckster! I said, and    t, for    do and up tairs. By time ears and snot.

        God    mean to do it! ing in. God    and made me!

        Made you le tick?

        I got    his hands before his face.

        S tter off me and read it! he said. ho did?

        Miss Maud! Miss Maud!

        I looked at    all, just as you said. I gave tcall man took it and opes back.    my scarf oot eeteasing. t give me a look. But tried to reac Miss Maud sater in my    me, and kneable, and ster uable and read it, and sed my fingers so hard—

        o dissolve, like salt in ter of ears.

        St! I said. St for on your life, or I sell me now, w did she do?

        ook a breat o , and broug.

        S sook it from table o me, as if it mig; and tall man closed tcook it, and t me

        out. Miss Maud c s    it for you but, o God    its for!

        over. S very small, and it took me a moment to unfold it and kno ur, tur again; tood gazing stupidly at

        it.

        Just this? I said. Charles nodded.

        It     Briar. It     greasy, and    in it; but it still    crease, in ts painted red pips.

        I , and remembered sitting o tell une. S ening me! she had said.

        it, later!

        S perfectly steady. S me t, no mark n?—s me to tease me. hy else?

        Miss, I dont kno from table-top. Sook it quick, and t her eye.

        sort of a wildness?

        I t say. S like    like to say—I t .

        Gin?

        e looked at eacher.

        shall we do? he asked me.

        I did not know.

        I must to . I must t sell Gentleman— ster. to find us. t see you e back ve, t be sure. eve urning. Oh,

        if only Id aken t    une. Lucks like tide: it turns, ts faster and t be stopped.

        Dont say it! cried C you?

        You t c luck like t. t you    do is, try and outface it. Outface it?

        I    to t t one ?    myself be frigy I t o    at all. Give me my knife. e are going over.

        ood, open-mout took    and led aircase. A man and a girl stood at ttom, quarrelling; but turo c by. Pero . treet    s of grit and paper, t still . My rinder; but it oo late to care. I ran o Mr Ibbss door, knocked on it, t ep o ter a minute, just an inch.

        Youve e too late. It ys voice. Mr Ibbs says— Os you again.    now? ged your mind?

        ttle furtood, and licked ys. t me; and    hen she screamed.

        Mrs Sucksby! I cried. I made a c ty    flying. I caugo ted again. I ran to tain and k back. tumbled, and Cumbled    the end,

        and t open. t, and smoke, and lig made me . o ting. opped, and flung up ; be table, in Mrs Sucksbys great chair, was Maud.

        Beo bark at tion. Noo give me    back.    ttled. I flinced my arms. tc seen my knife before, t now. Mrs Sucksby opened h. She said,

        Sue, I— Sue—

        ty came running in behind me, from Mr Ibbss shop.

        o fists. Samped. Youve got some cc about broke Mrs Sucksbys !

        Keep off me, I said,    in astonis, t; for t it. Sy, after all. to shake.

        Mrs Sucksby, I said, turning to old you lies. I    aken me all time—all time, since May!—to get back to you.

        Mrs Sucksby    . S miging t. S Mr Ibbs, and t Maud. to e to ook teps across tc    me, tight.

        Dear girl, she said.

        S ruck my c was Mauds diamond brooch.

        O it. And I struggled ah jewels and lies!

        Dear girl, said Mrs Sucksby again.

        But I looked at Maud. S flincarted, at sig like Mrs Sucksby— lifted o . S    back from t, rembling, though.

        ts rig. You shake.

        Ster not ter ayed away

        You    say so! I cried. . I remembered , no t, you snake, you viper!

        Girl-figh a clap of his hands.

        aken out a    Mrs Sucksby. Sill    me, and I could not see    I felt o take t    tly on table. I leaned and snatc up again.

        Dont leave it, I said,    it! O know w a devil she is!

        Sue, listen to me, said Maud.

        Dear girl, said Mrs Sucksby again, over onis you! Like a regular—    say you sit doairs, if looking at s you? Ey: lets ask to slip upstairs, too?

        Doy began to move. Not    tay, I said. And to Mrs Sucksby and Mr Ibbs: tleman! Dont trust them!

        S    t.

        I said, stay! I cried.

        Mrs Sucksby. S Mr Ibbs.

        Sit doly. Jo. I o Charles.

        d beo to it, sry

        aken off ing t.    to t seemed to glow.

        Jo him and laughed.

        You leave    one, more ever t back to you,     free of—of the madhouse.

        S o , did o pay . S we, Mr Ibbs?

        Mr Ibbs said nothing. Maud leaned from her chair.

        You must go, C go from    me. trange. You must botleman es back.

        I curled my lip at leman, I said. Gentleman. You s very quick.

        t w I was.

        You are not, I said.

        S    t toget jingle of metal: s, to like to ill; ted    my gaze. I said, in a eady voice:

        as being a lady not enoug you must e to take t were ours?

        S answer.

        ell? I said.

        So try to draake t    them!

        You t them?

        Mrs Sucksby stepped forowards Mauds.

        Let tay! she cried.

        me, t of laugs silver, in ts silver, pared    one o , and leaned ed on ty, sc a tumbler of brandy, urn of te undone me.

        Like Mr Ibbs, sook out a    ave , and sat.

        e beside me, so me. Put do old knife,    you? And tated: , afraid of Miss Lilly? ito mind you? e, sit.

        I looked again at Maud. I    , in t moved about, and I sa of it    and pale and tired s Mrs Sucksbys cry, sill; ill sed    t of it    rands of o it.    to o glitter.

        I sat, and put took my hand. I said,

        I have been done very wrong, Mrs Sucksby.

        Mrs Sucksby slo, she said.

        God knoold you! trut art. t me up, beto take    me in to be her—

        Joled. Double-cross, —oh! he laughed. You pigeon!

        I    did not seem to matter. Mrs Sucksby looked, not at me, but at our joiunned her.

        A bad business, sly.

        orse t! I cried. O    and starved me! I ime, so h—!

        S before her face.

        No more, dear girl! No more. I t bear to .

        Did torture you, ongs? asked Jo you in a strait-coat?

        t me in a tartan gos of—

        Of iron?

        I ated, t Charles.

        Boots    laces, I said. t t, if they gave me laces, I should hang myself. And my hair—

        Did t it? said Dainty, sitting, putting a —from Jo off?

        I ated again, t to my head.

        ears. O it wow!

        ts all rig to knourned again to Mrs Sucksby, and touy dress. tole, I said. And to London. My only t o get back o you. For    o me in t of t Gentleman must old you, about ,    I had died.

        Sook my , s of it.

        But I knew you would ask for my body.

        ouldnt I! Straight off!

        t    ed you all.

        oot you    the nerve.

        I looked into Mrs Sucksbys face. But I kne believe it, I said, of your own daugigil you found me.

        Dear girl, I— O you, too, in anot my sear Joy

        Did you, Mrs Sucksby? said Dainty.

        My dear, I did. I sent out a man, fidentially

        S Maud. But Maud    lit    mine, for sly and suddenly,

        You look ill, Sue.

        It ime s and— despite myself—I t of times s, so softly as t, a myself colour.

        You do look done up, said Dainty. You look like you aint slept in a week.

        I , I said.

        to rise,    you go upstairs no your omorroy will e and fix you up in one of your old gowns, and dress your hair—

        Dont go to sleep ting oheres danger here.

        I took up my knife again, and she drew her hand back. I said,

        You t kno, in looking at you, Im not seeing danger ress moutreacherous eyes?

        to I must spit t or s seem treac all. I turhe

        blade took up t of t it darting across her cheek.

        I came o kill you, I said.

        Mrs Sucksby sed in . Maud kept tering gaze on mine.

        You came to Briar, so do t. . .

        t t suddenly tired, and sick. I felt all tc it uro Mrs Sucksby.

        you sit, I said, and ease me?    you knorick s    to ttle    it; a sounded like bluster, too. I looked around ty, s you like to so pieces, in my behalf?

        S I! said Dainty. S. C my best pal,    it sink. S my eye. Seems an a to be sud all. And brave? I done    o taking stitc, t natural—

        All rigy, said Mrs Sucksby quickly.

        I looked again at Maud—at    ear    on a    t o t it seemed all of a piece —above tle cage of .

        I felt tears rise into my t.

        You ake , and made it better.

        I took it, s !

        you? hy?

        So speak. t Mrs Sucksby and her face ged.

        For villainys sake, sly. For villainys sake. Because you ell lies, my eyes— My eyes— So rise. S flat again. Ric, after all,     for our money, lo.

        Sook up     in it.

        You    got the money?

        S t yet.

        ts somet a s. I s . Mrs Sucksby, do you u least. Not a stinking t a    we s!

        But I did not    teful to me. Mrs Sucksby said nothing. Maud said,

        You s you like. I    all—if you will only go from here, now, before Richard es back.

        Go from ell me to? tell her?

        Mrs Sucksby again passed a h.

        t be rigo be t of, you migo keep out of Gentlemans    me speak . Ill give aste of my temper, though!

        S in a queer, ed ry at a smile—as s , I t, if s found out t Gentleman    of t cards. I guessed s Mauds fortune, and    mig. I couldnt    er all, to her. I said,

        ill you make me go? t like a c tcures on to

        tairs e c, , from my o must    doo be en. I    ten it. On table be: I to till, t— I looked about me again. cill. Everyone ill, and g me.

        ill you make me go, I said again to Mrs Sucksby, a ay? Norust t to send Dr Cie to me? ill you— ill you take ake t ?

        Sleep beside me? said Mrs Sucksby quickly. old you t?

        Red hairs?said John.

        But Maud ed c it t tter!

        Ive gly. Ive g everyt— God damn you!—th your own husband!

        Sleep ounded. You dont suppose—?

        Susie, said Mrs Sucksby, putting her hand upon me.

        Sue, said Maud at time, leaning across table and also reac suppose o me? You dont to me, in anyt name? Dont you know I e    you know I ed    Briar?

        ill you make out norembling s, t you only did w you did because he made you?

        , not in the way you mean.

        I said, ill you pretend, t you arent a swindling c?

        She said, ill you?

        And again, s s, and looked aer a moment I said, more quietly,

        I ed it. I didnt smile, urned.

        You think I did?

        ? You are an actress.-You are ag now!

        Am I?

        S, still ill    falling s of taking it. t    of tc dark. I looked at , or bruised. I said,

        If you ed ?

        to be me.

        So you mig ans have—

        ?

        Anyt know w. . .

        Sly, would you have given up?

        so steady and true; but I gre onrs Sucksby—of Joy, Mr Ibbs—all of td curious, ts t moment, I sao my o I , soohan be shamed by her now, I would die.

        S. I took up t her hand.

        Dont touc. I got to my feet. Dont any of you touy of you! Do you    to cast me out again. I e you all! I ry!

        I looked from face to face. Dainty o cry. Jo, open-moutonis his cheek. Maud nursed her bleeding fingers. Charles shook. Mrs Sucksby said,

        Sue, put do you out? the idea! I—

        topped. Ced his head. From Mr

        Ibbss surning in a lock. ts; tling.

        Gentleman! s Maud, at Mr Ibbs, at me. S up, and leao catc my arm. Sue, s. S    a airs . . .?

        But I did not ansleman led again, a lazy z tune, and c t ing into tle died. raighem.

        me, and at my knife. ook off    and began to un clot. I supposed you mig it anot noed a letter, from t fool Cie. ainly dragged ting me knoo recapture you before o. Bad publicity, wics run.

        t clot aook out a cigarette.

        Youre fug cool, I said. I was shing.

        hey do.

        Gentleman! said Mrs Sucksby. Listen to me. Sue old us terrible t you to go.

        Do ie! I waved my knife. Cop him!

        Gentleman    te, but apart from t    moved. uro look at    a couple of doubtful steps towards    o Charless hair.

        So, Charley, he said.

        Please, sir, said Charles.

        You    a villain.

        Co tremble.    to God, Mr Rivers, I never meant to!

        tleman. roked C to , t    know w. he blushed.

        Sit down, John, said Mrs Sucksby.

        and if I like.

        Sit down, or Ill    you.

        me?    ted to Gentleman and Cook teps, and struck ruck    boto    ween his elbows.

        You old cow! ouc!

        ; but tears and o snivel. o t. C leman looked from oo t Maud iend amazement.

        Is it doo me,    small boys weep?

        Fuck you, I aint small! said John.

        ill you be quiet? said Maud, in s enough.

        Charles wiped his nose. Yes, miss.

        Gentleman leaned against t of till smoking. So, Suky, he said. You know all now.

        I kno I kne, six monts all, to trust you.

        Dear girl, said Mrs Sucksby quickly, lemans face. Dear girl, to let you.

        Gentlemae from o blo its tip. ill for a sed     of laugh—and shook his head.

        S C, ly.

        I t she had shamed him.

        All rig. Sed ood, like a man on a raft—like so make too s t knife doo be y. aleman.

        Mrs Sucksby, he said.

        No-oo be ?

        me. tell it to Sue,    me ances, I dont quite care for t.

        Circumstances? I said. You mean, your    me to die? I s your bloody head off!

        oo your voice at times? old you t?

        I made a lu    trutill beired, and tc flincood    of t. t t. I put it do it doable—at table, just beyond t t there.

        No t nicer? said Mrs Sucksby.

        Joears        Gentleman, but o me.

        S for Miss Lilly just now, o kUl her.

        Gentleman gazed at Maud, wo .

        Jos a une.

        Does sleman, slowly.

        Jo up, said Mrs Sucksby. Gentleman, dont mind him.

        rouble. Sue said a    t le queerly about t me, and at Maud. S    only, s, for thinking in!

        tleman easily, sourly. I am longing to knoh.

        So am I, said Mr Ibbs.    quietly. Gentleman caught his eye, and raised a brow.

        Sticky,    you say, sir? too sticky, said Mr Ibbs. You think so?

        Mr Ibbs gave a nod. Gentleman said, You t simpler? Are you mad? I said. t you see, ill do anyt let ie. Do o Mrs Sucksby. Dont you to Gentleman.

        ed me to leave, tes ago!

        I    Mr Ibbs; who looked away.

        Gentleman took off . Fuck me, ; and    nicely. Its too his.

        Fuck you, I said. You fug villain. You do ?

        Like you,    on a chair. Yes.

        ed. You poor little bitch.

        Ric to    and able. Sen to me. t, and    will? said John.

        But Gentleman snorted again. tell me, o Maud, arted learning to be kind. s it to you, w Sue

        kno till? And do you look at Mrs Sucksby? Dont say you care w sher.

        So . No at ood,     diamond brooc    Maud, a her hand fall.

        Gentlemans laugood very still.

        s this? he said.

        s w?said John.

        Noy—

        Oleman. Ocepped about table. to Maud, in aed sort of    back from his brow.

        No, !

        You see notaking a step to me. Rig.

        a fool Ive been, not to    sooner! O you! I al t. Poor Maud! he laughed, properly. And, oh, Mrs Sucksby, poor you!

        ts enoug    spoke of!

        Sook a step towards him.

        Poor you, ill laugoo?

        Mr Ibbs did not answer.

        Knos.    me. Know w?

        I dont know, I said.

        Knoill moving slo blaotered ime olemans face. I sao guide    it. Mrs Sucksby sa too, I tarted, and then spoke quickly.

        Susie, s you to go. take your pal and go. Im not going anywhere, I said.

        No Susie, you stay, said Gentleman, in a ric of voice. Dont mind Mrs Sucksbys o you, after all? Ric pleading.

        Gentleman, said Mrs Sucksby, ill on Maud. Dear boy. Be silent, will you? I am afraid.

        Afraid?    is beating perfectly quietly now, be.

        At co the bodice of her dress.

        Feel it! sion ell me I aint afraid!

        Feel t?     t your daugo do it, ice.

        I ot say for certain . I kno, ook a step torike . I kno Maud and Mrs Sucksby reac. I do not k    , taffeta and silk, t. Grace! Grace!    it a queer to call; until I realised it     we never heard used.

        And so, it c    see it o stagger. But I     sort of groan.

        me? range.

        then I looked.

        , too.    omacood a little before    noell you. Mrs Sucksby o ainly t     , and    me? he said again.

        I dont know, she said.

        I dont tood in t    at last ook a coat and    before e of h blood.

        My God! hen.

        Dainty shrieked.

        Bring a lig!

        Jo up t, surned suddenly crimsolemans coat and trousers , and Mrs Sucksbys taffeta gown was red and running where she had held him.

        I alked, an    table. It    this. I grew sick.

        No, I said. No, no!

        Mrs Sucksby gripped Gentlemans arm. take your ill clutach.

        I t.

        take your hand away!

        Sed to see . coat, a bubble—like a bubble of soap, but s of blood, t fell and struck ter or soup would make.

        Dainty s wobbled. Fuck! Fuck! said John.

        Set c. Fetco catg—

        leman. !

        ts and sig ood and looked on, o Gentlemans side and    against time ook omaced. Fetc or a pot, sy ran to t up t t    t it a doriking t of t, against te, and against t great dark eye—leman    and greened.

        O! , Im dying! Iering moan, t    op. Oh, Jesus, save me!

        touco tell of it.

        Not like t like t. ? O! I need a surgeon. Do I?

        Bring o Dainty; but he shook his head.

        No liquor. A smoke, t, here.

        o coat, and Jo out a packet of cigarettes, and anotches.

        tes        it at    it ilemans.

        Good boy, said Gentleman, coug te fell. Jo it up in trembling fingers a back beto— as if it er. Gentleman began to shake.

        Maud. S moved siepping from o fall. S still as me,     Jo Mr Ibbs, at me. and and cor. Bring a surgeon!

        I ty took a step. Mr Ibbs caught her arm.

        Neons , to this

        house.

        No men like t? cried Gentleman. tte fell.    are you saying? Look at me! C! Dont you kno me! Im dying! Mrs Sucksby, you love me. Bring a man, I beg you.

        Dear boy, be still, sill pressing too t.    in pain and fear.

        Damn you! ches! John—

        Jo d to .

        Joed again. Noted, h red, his cheek gleaming like lard.

        Jo! Dont ask me!

        Gentleman turo me. Suky! heyve killed me—

        Neons, said Mr Ibbs again, w , and were done for.

        take o treet, I said. t you? Call a doctor to treet.

        too bad. Look at    oo much blood.

        t no filled t. Gentlemans moans o groer.

        Damn you! ly. o cry. . here? Maud?

        as pale as e we.

        Maud? Maud? he said.

        Shen she said, in a whisper: I am sorry. I am sorry.

        God damn you! tle at    later, a guso it—sa of t, and began tle, as if to raise ing about tc d made to draime in terror olemans lips and ed and ran.    o Mr Ibbss so o o make op, o Lant Street:

        Murder! help! help! Murder!

        At t e! said Mr Ibbs. too late. ood and liste    carried     at first ronger, and I uood it     sound of all, to us—ttle, rising and falling on ting wind; and drawing nearer.

        turned, and came to Dainty. Dainty,

        run! ood for a sed, t—the back way__

        tearing ts from t    go ead,    to Gentlemans side.

        e migake o Mrs Sucksby.    me, and t Maud. e migake ween us, if we are quick.

        Mrs Sucksby slemans oill bubbled at , and bubbled again.

        Save yourself, so Joake Sue.

        But    go; and I kneill—t I     Mr Ibbs. o te of t later t    moely, in an old cigarette box.    tcoat. to look about    ts on to see    be, t    look at Gentleman or Mrs Sucksby.    look at me— once    me aside, to reac me for a porcelain cup; and     tled sort of bark, he kicked him.

        Meantles greleman lifted    the er of his eye.

        Do you ? he said weakly.

        Dear boy, I do, said Mrs Sucksby. Sill k at his side.

        sound is it?

        S une, she said.

        S me, and t Maud. You might run.

        I said not from t now.

        You know w follows?

        S me, and t Maud, then closed her eyes. She sighed, as if weary.

        to    you once, dear girl, so lose you again—

        You s lose me! I cried; and    uanding. t Joilted his head.

        hey e! he said.

        Mr Ibbs     no furt dark little court at t tleman, and at t of blood, and— to look for or to    t kicked into t; ao do he Bh.

        ty    it? ts see how bad.

        took lemans    for t hey said,

        t?

        Maud moved, or took a step. But John moved quicker.

        S,    a ation. ruck before. ed ed. S. I saw her.

        ed at Mrs Sucksby.

        I sa act. I only said, —? and Maud, I t, —? or ait—!

        But Mrs Sucksby rose from Gentlemans side. affeta dress o a broocip to . Sure of a murderess from one of the penny papers.

        I do, s no I do. And t girls, and kno all about it; and have harmed no-one.
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