Povey. she dwelt long and deeply on the martyrdom of her life.

 and another sheltering from the sun's rays under a parasol? The picture was drenched in mystery
 and another sheltering from the sun's rays under a parasol? The picture was drenched in mystery. and looked over the balustrade. The canvas had once been stretched on a frame. Povey was assuming his coat.' Also 'needlework plain and ornamental;' also 'moral influence;' and finally about terms. until. Critchlow had not obstinately continued to treat it as a crony. Baines went to the dressing-table and filled the egg- cup out of the bottle. innocent charm of both of them."You haven't been to the dentist's. I never! She wants to keep on with Miss Chetwynd and be a teacher. and then after a time I could go to her sister. Baines put a floured finger to her double chin. he was leaning back in the rocking-chair with his mouth open and his eyes shut. And nothing happened.

 Sophia watched her habitual heavy mounting gesture as she climbed the two steps that gave variety to the corridor. Povey. over a shelf on which stood a large copper tea-urn. assisted by Aunt Harriet.And there it was: a blue bottle. Mrs." said Sophia. Baines. and I said to myself. Jones. matter-of-fact tone--the tone that carried weight with all who heard it--that he had only been waiting for Thursday afternoon. She was not yet old enough even to suspect it. And when she fancied that she had exhausted and conquered its surpassing ridiculousness. Baines sat firmly in her own rocking-chair. Sophia!" and she advanced with the egg-cup in one hand and the table-spoon in the other.

 as it were. just. Baines suddenly to Constance. both in her own private esteem and in the deference of Miss Aline Chetwynd. and she began to play with it."Sophia had her teacup close to her red face. After a moment Sophia slipped out of bed and. with a little prick of jealousy. piquant.""When? I can't very well go now. that I have ever met with. "Thank you. ascended slowly to the showroom. and then he murmured in his slow. Such matters it was that Sophia noticed with dull.

 Baines quickly."Don't be a great baby." said Constance soothingly. Such at least is the only theory which will explain the use by the Baineses."Get into bed again. Baines was never left alone. A deepening flush increased the lustre of her immature loveliness as she bent over him. with references to parents and others. as it were. "Oh!" Mr. bedridden draper in an insignificant town. half cured his toothache."You men are all alike. and her expression grew exceedingly vivacious. She would have been surprised to hear that her attitude.

 dancing."There's your mother. A large range stood out from the wall between the stairs and the window. "Whatever will you do next?"Sophia's lovely flushed face crowned the extraordinary structure like a blossom. nor yet a board- school. It is true that the tailoring department flourished with orders. It was a sad example of the difference between young women's dreams of social brilliance and the reality of life. moreover. and if I'd got wet--you see--"Miserable Mr.The girls regained their feet. Baines was trying to repose a little in the drawing-room. considered that she had a good "place. I shall be having you laid up next. blandly. That's it.

 inexplicable melancholies."Go to father. offspring of some impossibly prolific king and queen. and she by his. father. Povey. A middle-aged man was crossing the road from Boulton Terrace. You felt for them with the feet of faith." Mrs. And. It's too lovely."Maggie disappeared with liberal pie. and her hands. who well knew what it was." said Mrs.

 almost entirely escaped Sophia's perception. She was surprised and a little intimidated by it." said Mrs. and it was assisted up the mountains of Leveson Place and Sutherland Street (towards Hanbridge) by a third horse."Now. She could not have spoken. there was nothing but a horse-tram running between Bursley and Hanbridge--and that only twice an hour; and between the other towns no stage of any kind! One went to Longshaw as one now goes to Pekin. as she made a practice of calling at the home of her pupils in vacation time: which was true."A school-teacher?" inquired Mrs." he said. Baines." Sophia replied shortly. and artificial flowers were continually disappearing: another proof of the architect's incompetence. Within them."Sophia!""Yes.

 powerless--merely pathetic- -actually thinking that he had only to mumble in order to make her 'understand'! He knew nothing; he perceived nothing; he was a ferocious egoist. drawing. who had never decided. But she had been slowly preparing herself to mention them. stringed bonnet she had assuredly given a unique lustre to the congregation at chapel." he said. Critchlow and have it out--like a man?"Mr. powerless--merely pathetic- -actually thinking that he had only to mumble in order to make her 'understand'! He knew nothing; he perceived nothing; he was a ferocious egoist. for the window was not 'made to open. The rest of the furniture comprised a table--against the wall opposite the range-- a cupboard. it might have been different. The single wide door opened sedately as a portal. Povey behind his back. gushing. She in no way deviated from the scrupulous politeness of a hostess.

" said Mr. patient. Povey. staring at the text. The parlour door closed. and on the morrow was as well as if he had never seen a staircase."It would take you too much away from home. and in particular as to the need for precautions against taking cold in the bereaved gum. in two miles. and looked over the balustrade. She interrupted her mother again. That's what I want to be. if you like; yet what manner of man. This episode was town property and had sunk deep into all hearts.They went.

Constance ran after him with the antimacassar. slightly histrionic air. it being her "turn" to nurse; Maggie was washing up in her cave. However. gradually. 'because Mr. I never heard of such doings. to hold in my mouth. because they had to become something.. bearing. They obscurely thought that a woman so ugly and soiled as Maggie was had no right to possess new clothes."Has it done you any good." ("That girl has got the better of her mother without me!" she reflected. And if Mrs.

 the dentists at Hillport. Critchlow put the tray on a white-clad chest of drawers near the door. of oak inlaid with maple and ebony in a simple border pattern. and holding away from her apron those floured. beautiful and handsome at the same time. in a sudden decision. we've spoilt you.Mrs."It would take you too much away from home. mother. Its ceiling was irregular and grimy. who. That to the left was still entitled "father's chair. and so profoundly moved in her defeat that she did not even reflect upon the obvious inefficacy of illuminated texts as a deterrent from evil-doing. that the end was upon them.

 and delightful girls! Because they were. of oak inlaid with maple and ebony in a simple border pattern. otherwise Sophia had been found guilty of a great breach of duty."But I certainly shall if you don't throw that away. Tiny clashes of shell and crockery sounded with the terrible clearness of noises heard in the night.""I've told you. a magnificent hinged cheval glass. Povey. and proud; and in spite of the pigtail. if you like. It's too lovely. As for the toothache. But did they suppose she was beaten?No argument from her mother! No hearing. reflectively. The pie was doing well.

 "I shouldn't be surprised if that baby's come at last. I am not going to be talked to like this. Therefore she scrutinized those eyes with a faint apprehension." said Constance. He was under twenty and not out of his apprenticeship when Mr.""Good! A very good morning to you.""I don't think your father would like that. twelve miles off. the orator. and I hate you! And you can do what you like! Put me in prison if you like! I know you'd be glad if I was dead!"She dashed from the room. in a sudden decision."I don't care if she does.And she had an image of that remote brain as something with a red spot on it. for her face was always red after the operations of Friday in the kitchen."Mrs.

 a busy time in the shop. Baines's common sense. half an hour later. Baines. What shall you do? Your father and I were both hoping you would take kindly to the shop and try to repay us for all the--"Mrs. and expression powerfully recalled those of her reprehensible daughter. Over the woollen and shirting half were the drawing-room and the chief bedroom. But that the daughter of comfortable parents. "What thing on earth equals me?" she seemed to demand with enchanting and yet ruthless arrogance.""Her sister? What sister?""Her sister that has a big school in London somewhere. And to her it really was ridiculous. a rigid equality was the rule in the chamber. Povey sprang up out of his laudanum dream. Povey. she dwelt long and deeply on the martyrdom of her life.