10

oveforJim,butthenshedidnotcare.Afterall,itwasnobody'sbusiness,andwhatdidanythingmatteraslongasshelovedJimandJimlovedher?ThenshegrewangrythatTomshouldsuspectherhecouldknownothingbutthatsomeofthemenhadseenherwithJimnearVauxhall,anditseemedmeanthatheshouldcondemnherforthat.Thenceforward,whensheranagainstTom,shecuthimhenevertriedtospeaktoher,butasshepassedhim,pretendingtolookinfrontofher,shecouldseethathealwaysblushed,andshefanciedhiseyeswereverysorrowful.Thenseveralweekswentby,andasshebegantofeelmoreandmorelonelyinthestreetsheregrettedthequarrelshecriedalittleasshethoughtthatshehadlosthisfaithfulgentleloveandshewouldhavemuchlikedtobefriendswithhimagain.Ifhehadonlymadesomeadvanceshewouldhavewelcomedhimsocordially,butshewastooproudtogotohimherselfandbeghimtoforgiveher—andthenhowcouldheforgiveher? ShehadlostSallytoo,foronhermarriageHarryhadmadehergiveupthefactoryhewasayoungmanwithprinciplesworthyofaMemberofParliament,andhehadsaid: 'Awoman'spliceis'er'ome,an'if'eroldmancan'taffordterkeep'erwithout'erworkin'inafactory—well,allIcansayisthet'e'dbettergoan'gitsingle.' 'Quiteright,too,'agreedhismother-in-law'an'wot'smore,she'll'aveababyterlookaftersoon,an'thet'lltike'erall'ertime,an'there'snooneasknowsthetbetterthanme,forI've'adtwelve,tersynothin'oftwostillsan'onemiss.' LizaquiteenviedSallyherhappiness,forthebridewasbrimmingoverwithsongandlaughterherhappinessoverwhelmedher. 'Iam'appy,'shesaidtoLizaonedayafewweeksafterhermarriage.'Youdunnowotagoodsort'Arryis.'E'sjustadarlin',an'there'snomistikin'it.Idon'tcarewototherpeoplesy,butwotIsaysis,there'snothin'likemarriage.Neveracrosswordpasseshislips,an'mother'asall'ermealswithusan''esaysallthebetter.WellI'mthet'appyIsimplydunnoifI'mstandin'onmy'eadoronmy'eels.' Butalas!itdidnotlasttoolong.SallywasnotsofullofjoywhennextLizamether,andonedayhereyeslookedverymuchasifshehadbeencrying. 'Wot'sthematter?'askedLiza,lookingather.'Wot'aveyerbeenblubberin'abaht?' 'Me?'saidSally,gettingveryred.'Oh,I'vegotabitofatoothache,an'—well,I'mratherafoollike,an'it'urtsomuchthatIcouldn't'elpcryin'.' Lizawasnotsatisfied,butcouldgetnothingfurtheroutofher.Thenonedayitcameout.ItwasaSaturdaynight,thetimewhenwomeninVereStreetweep.LizawentupintoSally'sroomforafewminutesonherwaytotheWestminsterBridgeRoad,whereshewastomeetJim.Harryhadtakenthetopbackroom,andLiza,climbingupthesecondflightofstairs,calledoutasusual. 'Wotho,Sally!' Thedoorremainedshut,althoughLizacouldseethattherewasalightintheroombutongettingtothedoorshestoodstill,forsheheardthesoundofsobbing.Shelistenedforaminuteandthenknocked:therewasalittleflurryinside,andsomeonecalledout: ''Oo'sthere?' 'Onlyme,'saidLiza,openingthedoor.AsshedidsoshesawSallyrapidlywipehereyesandputherhandkerchiefaway.Hermotherwassittingbyherside,evidentlycomfortingher. 'Wot'sup,Sal?'askedLiza. 'Nothin','answeredSally,withabravelittlegasptostopthecrying,turningherfacedownwardssothatLizashouldnotseethetearsinhereyesbuttheyweretoostrongforher,and,quicklytakingoutherhandk