"If you don't give me the money I shall be left; it is hard luck, that's
all, for there's fine chances for a girl, they says, out in Australia. If
I remain 'ere I dunno what will become of me."
"You had better look out for a situation. We shall see each other from
time to time. It's a pity you don't know a bit of cooking, enough to take
the place of kitchen-maid."
"I only know that dog-making, and I've 'ad enough of that."
"You can always get a situation as general servant in a lodging-'ouse."
"Service in a lodging-'ouse! Not me. You know what that is. I'm surprised
that you'd ask me."
"Well, what are yer thinking of doing?"
"I was thinking of going on in the pantomime as one of the hextra ladies,
if they'll 'ave me."
"Oh, Jenny, you won't do that, will you? A theatre is only sinfulness, as
we 'ave always knowed."
"You know that I don't 'old with all them preachy-preachy brethren says
about the theatre."
"I can't argue--I 'aven't the strength, and it interferes with the milk."
And then, as if prompted by some association of ideas, Esther said, "I
hope, Jenny, that you'll take example by me and will do nothing foolish;
you'll always be a good girl."
"Yes, if I gets the chance."
"I'm sorry to 'ear you speak like that, and poor mother only just dead."
The words that rose to Jenny's lips were: "A nice one you are, with a baby
at your breast, to come a-lecturing me," but, fearing Esther's temper, she
checked the dangerous words and said instead--
"I didn't mean that I was a-going on the streets right away this very
evening, only that a girl left alone in London without anyone to look to
may go wrong in spite of herself, as it were.
Pages:
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193