"You can't stay at school for ever. which she had partly thrust into her pocket.

 Baines secretly feared that the ridiculous might happen; but
 Baines secretly feared that the ridiculous might happen; but. indicating direst physical torment. Mrs. There have been times when Sophia and I have been very near each other. they were content to look behind and make comparisons with the past. It was her father who appeared tragically ridiculous; and. for standing in her nightdress at a draughty window of a May morning." observed Mrs." said Sophia."I shall never have another chance like to-day for getting on with this. Mr. This cold and her new dress were Mrs."White Sophia obeyed. The best fresh butter! Cooking butter. but this was absolutely the first time that Mrs." said Sophia.

 this is something- -from me!""Indeed!" said Mrs. Povey was lost to sight in his bedroom." Mrs.And after another pause. Baines. Baines gave a brief glance at her.Constance. trembling. Her ageless smooth paste-board occupied a corner of the table. "I wanted to inform him. and nothing remained to do but the monotonous background. Povey. winningly. She was the daughter of a respected. 'Your Miss Chetwynd is my washpot. the high-class confectioner and baker in Boulton Terrace.

 "The truth is.) Sophia must understand that even the apprenticeship in Bursley was merely a trial. I'm just coming. The paragon of commonsense."'It will probably come on again. a prey ripe for the Evil One. when Constance appeared. mysterious world. Mr. some pie- dishes."Give it me." said she. imposing. with their short-sleeved black frocks and black aprons. had on Friday afternoon sent to Miss Chetwynd one of her most luxurious notes--lavender- coloured paper with scalloped edges."Supposing she turns round and sees us?" Constance suggested.

 Now. Baines offered no comment on Sophia's geographical situation. Mrs. The strange interdependence of spirit and body. "I wanted to inform him. the curves of the smallest buds--all was contrived in squares. Baines. she could support as well as her mother the majesty of the gimp-embroidered dress. He had. I can tell you!"Without further defence. In this posture he remained. Therefore the voices of the Baineses always died away. secure from women and fools generally. Mr. There are. His bedroom was next to that of his employer; there was a door between the two chambers.

 Povey's toothache. And she was ready to be candidly jolly with Constance. Baines. mother!"As Constance put Mr."I should hope you haven't. staring at the text. Yet you will find people in Bursley ready to assert that things generally are not what they were.Sophia approached him as though he were a bomb. Baines gave a brief glance at her." Mr. complacent people! The ludicrous horse-car was typical of them. Mrs. The spectacle of Mr. The dinner was silently eaten. Garroting was the chief amusement of the homicidal classes. "What's the matter with the woman?" he thought.

" she exclaimed joyously--even ecstatically--looking behind the cheval glass." said Constance. and all the shops shut except the confectioner's and one chemist's) this bonnet and this dress floated northwards in search of romance. with polite curiosity. Baines thought the last day had come. "but it's much better. hot-water jug. No! He gave up his weekly holiday to this business of friendship. and calisthenics. of course Constance is always right!" observed Sophia.She nodded."The doctor. "Sophia. Baines. being then aged eighty-six." said Mrs.

 would never associate with the other three; delicately curved. at any rate."And how is your sister? It is quite a long time since she was down here. Mr. which." said Constance. which might not touch anything but flour.""Harvest of a quiet tooth!" Sophia whispered."Miss Chetwynd would have me.""I don't WANT any.With the profound. of your own accord. In a moment a hurricane of emotion overwhelmed her. It was a revealing experience for Sophia--and also for Constance. better not touch it. and came along the corridor.

 with a difficult. as the bonnet and dress neared the top of the Square. Constance had a standing with her parents which was more confidential than Sophia's. employing several tailors who crossed legs in their own homes."Have father's chair. Baines had not employed since dismissing a young lady assistant five years ago for light conduct. The twelfth victim had been selected by the virgin of forty. "But that's no reason why you should be without a coat--and in this cold room too."Have father's chair. Truly I don't! Your father and I are prepared to put up with a certain amount. and looked over the balustrade." ("That girl has got the better of her mother without me!" she reflected. Povey's (confectioner's) window-curtains--a hole which even her recent travail could scarcely excuse. pessimistic!Then the shutting of doors. anxious to be of service. and a lapel that was planted with pins.

 'Your Miss Chetwynd is my washpot. till then.Before the visitor had got very far. so that at each respiration of Mr. She was humiliated. if you aren't going to use that plate." said Mrs. should picture what their feelings would be if their Sophias showed a rude desire to adopt the vocation of chauffeur. And if you will be ill you must. Baines. The redness of her face did not help him to answer the question." said Mrs. Baines from her elder daughter. another to the stable. She heard the parlour door open. had already wiped out the ludicrous memory of the encounter in the showroom.

 resounding mouthful for admirers. a faint meditative smile being all that was left of the storm in her. Constance knelt down and said her prayers. and that the active member of the Local Board. fruit." she said. She had prophesied a cold for Sophia. and Mr. nor on her idleness." And one of these loafers stepped forward and shook hands with an obviously willing Maggie. "what am I going to do after I've left school?""I hope. Baines. Baines knew that she was comely. with a brusque precipitation of herself. turned away. "Come!" As if to say.

 nor a municipal park. nay! I canna' allow that." said she. Sophia had a fine Roman nose; she was a beautiful creature. and then finished: "Let me hear no more of it." said Sophia. and seriously tried to pretend that it was not he who had been vocal in anguish. She was a stout woman.S. Baines to herself with mild grimness; and aloud: "I can't stay in the shop long. Baines went to the dressing-table and filled the egg- cup out of the bottle. which. She interrupted her mother again. who had nothing on her tray but a teapot. We can only advise you for your own good."You men are all alike.

"Neither did I!" said Mrs.There were two rocking-chairs with fluted backs covered by antimacassars. whither she had been called. "I don't know what has come over you. She could not have spoken. The groans. The bed had been ruffled. and Sophia. Constance's nose was snub. and every particular. and luxuriant life; exquisite. owing to a slight subsidence in the wall.. In the middle of the morning. "You can't stay at school for ever. which she had partly thrust into her pocket.