ooks was attracted first by a certain sense of familiarity with the trim, well-balanced figure, and imme

? Do you know I have

ed tired, and her boots and skirt were

a good deal of him just now

mitted. "You see the work is all new to me, and he has be

no

t since two o'c

he said. "Look here. Come across to Mellor's and have s

ortunity to frame a refusal. The little tea-place was warm and cosy.

ing down opposite her, "th

I ought to have warned you that I am not in the least likely to

suggested, "and your new gown is a fa

l as she bent forward and busied herself attending to his wants. Her affinity to Selina and Louise was undistinguishable. It was

of people. Can you tell me why it is that it is so hard just now for poor people to get work? Is it true, what they tell me, tha

d. "As for the first part of your question, it is very hard

the politician surely t

ed. "Tell me what has bro

r somebody dependent upon them. Two of them I am anxious about. I have been trying to find them this afternoon. I have heard things, Mr. Brooks, which have made me a

ly boot and shoe mach

tuart says that he c

tells us that the workpeople themselves are largely to blame, that their trades unions restrict them to such an extent that he is hopelessly handicapped from the start. But there are other causes. There is a terrible wave of d

least. I w

ty to think about. We are all agreed upon one thing. The crisis is fast approaching, and it must be faced. These p

si

wn into a lower moral state by sheer force of circumstances and their surroundings, and all the time we educated people go on our way and live our lives, as though nothing were happe

ere is a certain duty which we owe to ourselves, too, as well as to others-to lo

e suggested, "who is go

he answered

, I su

cott, but I can assure you that my duties are n

than too little. After all, more peo

class idler. And circumstances and the misfortune of my opinions are going to keep me g

ked, "to shrink from work. I h

," he said, "that you are no

laugh, as though some transient idea

for that," she said. "Every one call

her a heaven-sent joy-or a bore.

rude," she answered. "But, af

d with her as long as with you-and

little brusquely, "but I'm quite sure that I don't know

answered, "but it was v

stronger than my sense of the conventions. Now that the former ar

with postilions and ladies with luggage came clatter

id, motioning her head towards the window.

ok his

at any one round here

a place at Enton, I believe, but he is

and leaned ea

him?" he asked. "

e Mayor when he went out for a sub

shook h

ve heard

than I am and ask them to help support me, nor do I see the least reason why those who are worse off than I am should expect me to support them.' Mr. Wensome tried to appeal to his humanity, and the brute only continued to laugh in a cynical way. He declared that poor people did not interest him.

ughtfully. "The more surprising because I

ere!" she exclaimed.

rquis and two other men followed. They trooped into the little place, bringing with them a strange flavour of another world. The women wo

towards her host. "An eight-mile drive before tea sounde

d be unalloyed bliss. Nevertheless, you shall have them. No one has ever called me selfish. Let us have tea, and toast, and bread-and-butter and cakes, and a great many muffins, please,

more," the elder lady said. "We are going to play bridge dr

e promised. "We are to

down when he saw Brooks at the

said. "I am glad to see that y

his companion, who was buttoning her gloves. "I was a

have neither sympathy nor politics, but I assure you that at heart I

oks answered. "Shall I put you d

rquis

declared. "I promise. Ju

it might have been-it was never made. She kept her eyes averted, and though her self-possession was absolutely unru

ood-humouredly. There was silence until the two were in the street. The

hance for us in Medchester after all. I don't believe Arranm

is laughe

me of some one who has every reason to hate me. But to the best of my belief I never saw her before in my life. Lad