It don't draw. Get another."
The housemaid went away scandalised, and Dick chuckled. Then he began to cough
as Bessie banged up and down the studio disturbing the dust.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Put things straight. This is like unfurnished lodgings. How could you let it
go so?"
"How could I help it? Dust away."
She dusted furiously, and in the midst of all the pother entered Mrs. Beeton.
Her husband on his return had explained the situation, winding up with the
peculiarly felicitous proverb, "Do unto others as you would be done by." She
had descended to put into her place the person who demanded muffins and an
uncracked teapot as though she had a right to both.
"Muffins ready yet?" said Bess, still dusting. She was no longer a drab of the
streets but a young lady who, thanks to Dick's check, had paid her premium and
was entitled to pull beer-handles with the best. Being neatly dressed in black
she did not hesitate to face Mrs. Beeton, and there passed between the two
women certain regards that Dick would have appreciated. The situation adjusted
itself by eye. Bessie had won, and Mrs. Beeton returned to cook muffins and
make scathing remarks about models, hussies, trollops, and the like, to her
husband.
Pages:
1082
1083
1084
1085
1086
1087
1088
1089
1090
1091
1092
1093
1094
1095
1096
1097
1098
1099
1100
1101
1102
1103
1104
1105
1106