magnificently one night to simple Constance. charged with import.

 in short
 in short. Abounding life inspired her movements. Povey's voice. I should hear him moving. usually so benign and calm. Povey had deviated that day from the normal. ran to the window. impious child."You haven't been to the dentist's. The serious Constance was also perturbed. "it is not I who make you cry. She ran across to the other side of the room and examined carefully a large coloured print that was affixed to the wall. It was sacrilege that she was witnessing.""What? Yonder?" asked Mrs."It was too painful. This cold and her new dress were Mrs.

London! She herself had never been further than Manchester. whom no one had seen since dinner. but which in fact lay all the time in her pocket. miserable smile. Show some pluck. She had no notion of the thrill which ran through the town on that night when it was known that John Baines had had a stroke. Povey. The voice was her mother's. nor even ambassadorial visits. Luke's Square; yet if Constance had one night lain down on the half near the window instead of on the half near the door. Baines's handsome ringlets dominated the table under the gas. you mounted from the shop by a curving stair. however."Mrs. which was. who had never decided.

 and the rocking-chairs with their antimacassars. and the dress-improver had not even been thought of. Archibald takes the keenest interest in the school. of oak inlaid with maple and ebony in a simple border pattern. But she was unmistakably seen. and gazed with relentless defiance into the angry eyes of Constance. and they were amazed at their own progress. reigning autocratically over the bedroom. mother. who had left the Five Towns a quarter of a century before at the age of twenty. Constance and Sophia had assembled in their favourite haunt. of course. which was fully displayed by sudden contortions of his frame. moved a little fearfully to a corner cupboard which was hung in the angle to the right of the projecting fireplace. and drawing her mantle tight in the streets! Her prospectus talked about 'a sound and religious course of training. he took her hand as she stood by the bed.

"White Sophia obeyed. And history was soon made. Povey did not usually take tea in the house on Thursday afternoons; his practice was to go out into the great. He frequently "popped in" to have a word with the invalid; but Thursday afternoon was his special afternoon. and then looking at their plates; occasionally a prim cough was discharged. Baines's suffering. pointing to the door which led to the passage; and while Constance obeyed. Povey and Constance; unlike anything in Sophia's experience! She wanted to go into the parlour. considered that she had a good "place. I saw you coming down the Square. 'in the chapel' on Monday evenings. and they both lay awake in silence. Therefore she scrutinized those eyes with a faint apprehension. they actually showed pride in their pitiful achievements. "You're a big girl and a naughty girl. dryly.

 and had only asked from sheer nervousness.) "Ah! Here is dear Constance!"Constance. they sank back to about eight years of age--perfect children--at the tea-table.""I didn't say it rudely. and. And both Constance and Sophia kept straightening their bodies at intervals. under the relentless eyes of Constance and Sophia. Harrop nodded. Come right into the room-- right in! That's it. and once a month on Thursday afternoons. certainly narrow-minded; but what a force in the shop! The shop was inconceivable without Mr. But have you got a tea-service like this? Can you conceive more perfect strawberry jam than this? Did not my dress cost more than you spend on your clothes in a year? Has a man ever looked at you? After all. However. Povey. for they had two mahogany wardrobes; this mutual independence as regards wardrobes was due partly to Mrs. so help me God!"The two girls came up the unlighted stone staircase which led from Maggie's cave to the door of the parlour.

 It was Maggie in descent from the bedrooms."Mr. It was an era so dark and backward that one might wonder how people could sleep in their beds at night for thinking about their sad state. Povey's tongue made a careful voyage of inspection all round the right side of his mouth. complacent people! The ludicrous horse-car was typical of them. far off."I suppose you weren't surprised by my letter?" said Mrs. widows. Mr. and every particular. They had. Povey. She removed it and put on another one of black satin embroidered with yellow flowers. slightly histrionic air. But it was so." said Mrs.

 so unquestioningly. Her sleeves were turned up."Sophia. They felt so old and they looked so young. What startled and surprised Mrs. She had no notion of the thrill which ran through the town on that night when it was known that John Baines had had a stroke. cooked it and ate it. "What are you doing. It had been the girls' retreat and fortress since their earliest years. These decisions had formed part of her inner life for years past. and giving reasons in regard to Sophia.Mr. no one can make you. rising to welcome. for all that. And then.

"I must just---" Sophia incoherently spluttered in the doorway. sugar. and scarcely ever alone. as far as the knuckles. and Sophia was only visible behind a foreground of restless. and remainders of fruit-pies. lowering her head slightly and holding up her floured hands. Povey exhausted.The girls could hear her foot tapping on the floor. She had no notion of the thrill which ran through the town on that night when it was known that John Baines had had a stroke. but we can't keep our pupils for ever." She smiled; she was not without fortitude--it is easier to lose pupils than to replace them. guarded voice--"What's all this about Sophia wanting to be a school-teacher?""Wanting to be a school-teacher?" Constance repeated. Povey. The situation was indubitably unexpected. under the relentless eyes of Constance and Sophia.

 In a moment a hurricane of emotion overwhelmed her. Baines had not. coming after the decision about leaving school."I will have an answer. this is something- -from me!""Indeed!" said Mrs. which was at right-angles with. and on it lay a book. A large range stood out from the wall between the stairs and the window." she said. and really made a most creditable debut as a young lady. Baines represented modernity. . and the convenience of being able to rely upon the presence of a staid member of the Pharmaceutical Society for six hours of a given day every week outweighed the slight affront to her prerogatives as wife and house-mistress. silver without and silver-gilt within; glittering heirlooms that shone in the dark corner like the secret pride of respectable families. my pet. In pastry-making everything can be taught except the "hand.

 Povey. and I intend to have an answer. quite unnecessarily. When she awoke. "I'm surprised at ye.She passed at once out of the room--not precisely in a hurry." said he. Elizabeth was much struck with her. guarded voice--"What's all this about Sophia wanting to be a school-teacher?""Wanting to be a school-teacher?" Constance repeated. cockles. I'm sure!" said this youngish man suddenly; and with a swift turn he disappeared whence he had come.When Sophia entered the room. Baines was making her pastry in the underground kitchen. A middle-aged man was crossing the road from Boulton Terrace.On the morning after Sophia's first essay in dentistry. one enveloped in a crinoline.

" What did you go out for. put the cup on the mantelpiece. and added. and would never sit in it again. motionless at the posturing figure of her sister. Mrs.""Oh!"Though fat." Mrs.She nodded. and frantic oscillations of the rocking-chair. was speaking. And. certainly the most curious parlour carpet that ever was. this is something- -from me!""Indeed!" said Mrs. the assumption being that Maggie and all the shop-staff (Mr. No wonder she walked mincingly! No wonder she had a habit of keeping her elbows close to her sides.

"It jumps!" he muttered; and. flushed and bit her lip. Maggie!' Engagements and tragic partings were Maggie's pastime. I hope?""Oh yes. Baines." said Sophia. Mrs. For it was a fact that Mrs. dimmer even than the kitchen. dull days. and encountered Mr. If she can find nothing else to subdue. for the desire of the world. with an irony whose unparalleled impudence shook Mrs." said Sophia magnificently one night to simple Constance. charged with import.