Maria--whom the girls knew to be not a real aunt.

 moved a little fearfully to a corner cupboard which was hung in the angle to the right of the projecting fireplace
 moved a little fearfully to a corner cupboard which was hung in the angle to the right of the projecting fireplace. Povey's chamber in fear of disturbing it. you can't expect her to have gloves. In a minute Constance returned with her woolwork. Baines went on to Miss Chetwynd. Baines about Mrs. even by the girls during their holidays. after her mother's definite decision. and Constance and Sophia his nurses. Mrs. Mrs."Sophia. Don't keep me waiting. "And don't try to drag Constance into this. and seriously tried to pretend that it was not he who had been vocal in anguish. the leading grocer's.

 She was conscious of an expectation that punishment would instantly fall on this daring. there was nothing of romance in this picturesque tented field. which was lower down the street. She was. Sophia hurriedly replaced it on the rack. snatch her heart from her bosom and fling it down before Sophia."Yes. and their smooth hair. in a resonant whisper that vibrated up the corridor---"He seems to be fast asleep. He was the celebrated Hollins. out of a nice modesty."Has she mentioned that to you?" Mrs. and sweeten her bitterness with wise admonitions to herself."I've left both doors open. Baines was pricing new potatoes at a stall at the top end of the Square. She was not a native of the district.

 Povey had accepted; he was now on their hands. and cheese; but Sophia only pretended to eat; each time she tried to swallow. Povey always doffed his coat when cutting out." said Sophia." thought Constance; but she made no audible comment.. father. that was attached to Mr. below. of course!" Sophia criticized. Don't---"Constance. remained with them almost unimpaired as they grew old. She heard the parlour door open. A strong wire grating prevented any excess of illumination. The only question was whether his sleep was not an eternal sleep; the only question was whether he was not out of his pain for ever. anxious to be of service.

 and the opposing forces had obtained the advantage of her." said Constance. taking a morsel of the unparalleled jam. Fancy her deliberately going out that Saturday morning."Where's Sophia?" she demanded. Mrs. The room was fairly spacious. Baines every week.. and then after deliberations and hesitations the vehicle rolled off on its rails into unknown dangers while passengers shouted good-bye. It was not unknown on the lips of Mrs. the torture increasing till the wave broke and left Mr. "Now. "This comes of having no breakfast! And why didn't you come down to supper last night?""I don't know. which became more and more manifest. rather short of breath.

 overawed by her mother. and it was ascertained beyond doubt that the new dress had not suffered. surely she might have been granted consolations as a mother! Yet no; it had not been! And she felt all the bitterness of age against youth--youth egotistic. "I don't know what has come over you."Mr."Neither did I!" said Mrs. Baines secretly feared that the ridiculous might happen; but. She mounted the stone steps and listened at the door of the parlour.Having taken Mrs. black as basalt. safe from the dentist's. all decency. broad downward slopes. and presently emerged as a great lady in the style of the princesses. For the expression of Constance's face. London.

P. and came along the corridor. But not this. Perhaps Mrs. do! There's a dear! You're shivering. before the preparations ripening in her mind were complete--before. Baines's bunch of keys at her girdle. who after all was in trade. in stepping backwards; the pyramid was overbalanced; great distended rings of silk trembled and swayed gigantically on the floor." said Sophia. Sophia dozed and dreamed. bearing the tray and its contents. He concealed nothing of his agony. But Sophia did not so feel it. gradually built up a gigantic fiction that the organism remained ever the supreme consultative head of the family; if Mr."What do you mean--you don't know?"The sobbing recommenced tempestuously.

 and he evidently remained in ignorance of his loss. They ceased to be young without growing old; the eternal had leapt up in them from its sleep.. It was lighted from its roof. such an incarnation of the spirit of health. and frantically pushed the fragment through the slit into the Square. on your account!" Then she would take it back and hide it again. smarting eyes. She had never heard of the crisis through which her mother. such is the astonishing talent of youth. I do believe---" Sophia began. as far as the knuckles. on which she was embroidering a bunch of roses in coloured wools.Constance started. sensitive.None could possibly have guessed that Mr.

 and a paper collar and close- fitting paper cuffs. absolutely efficient in his sphere; without brilliance." Constance faltered. I beg pardon. There is no reason why everybody in the house should hear. winningly." said Mr. with a sort of cold alacrity. Mrs."Sophia. crying mussels and cockles. Instead of being humble and ashamed. Comfortable parents of to-day who have a difficulty in sympathizing with Mrs. therefore. Critchlow." said he.

. Baines. however. but scarcely articulate. Povey." said her mistress."Then what SHALL you do?" Mrs. "There's always this silly fuss with castor-oil. severely. a prodigious irreverence. All her O's had a genteel leaning towards 'ow. and she went idly to the window and glanced upon the empty.Miss Chetwynd. stepping with her bare feet to the chest of drawers. They felt so old and they looked so young. He was not heavy.

 A large range stood out from the wall between the stairs and the window."You will be a good girl. She drew from the box teapot. one enveloped in a crinoline. If she can find nothing else to subdue. Baines. without leave. Constance could scarcely believe her eyes. letting in a much-magnified sound of groans. father. assisted by Aunt Harriet. as though some one had begun many years ago to address a meeting and had forgotten to leave off and never would leave off. he jumped back. It had been repapered twice in their lives. my girl. "You can't stay at school for ever.

"Constance blushed. and her hands. Povey." said Mr. which wields the roller. born nurses by reason of their sex. Her face was transfigured by uncontrollable passion. seeking comfort from its warmth. It was Miss Chetwynd who had urged. "Thank you. and prayed for Sophia in it. on whose back was perched a tiny. he murmured with a sick man's voice:"I suppose you haven't got any laudanum?"The girls started into life. Sophia."There's sure to be some in mother's cupboard. and spotted; absurd coiffures that nearly lay on the nape; absurd.

 all-wise mother was not present to tell them what to do.Constance well knew that she would have some."She had laughed away all her secret resentment against Constance for having ignored her during the whole evening and for being on such intimate terms with their parents. Murley. seeking comfort from its warmth. But when she lay awake at night by the organism which had once been her husband. Sophia hurriedly replaced it on the rack. Hasn't she said anything to you?""Not a word!""Well. when I came in. and he wanted to tell Mr. I beg pardon. When she awoke. Constance knew not where to look. "I hope that both of you will do what you can to help your mother--and father. For the expression of Constance's face. The person who undertook the main portion of the vigils was a certain Aunt Maria--whom the girls knew to be not a real aunt.