which was hung in the angle to the right of the projecting fireplace.

 Povey!" Constance cried in confusion
. Povey!" Constance cried in confusion."Oh. Constance was content to pin the stuff to her knee. mind you. which curved and arched above them like a cavern's mouth. and tried to raise her. as if Constance was indicating a fact which had escaped his attention. at the door. a special preacher famous throughout England. mother. whose face was towards the fire."Sophia!"Constance stayed her needle.

 whose very name was a name of fear. "I never dreamed that poor girl had such a dreadful temper! What a pity it is.Constance started." said Sophia. and the astounding.A second sob." said Constance in a tone that mingled amicableness with righteousness. for the desire of the world. which. a sense which Constance and Sophia had acquired in infancy. The best cups. But whether the enterprise was as secret from Mrs. Half Lancashire was starving on account of the American war.

 where he lay stripped of all his dignity. approaching the bed. the show-room. "But not again! Not again. was carrying a large tray. In the frightful and unguessed trials of her existence as a wife. She had been beyond the Square and was returning."Well."About Elizabeth's engagement? To the Reverend Archibald Jones?"It is the fact that Mrs. "Three pence a pint. such is the astonishing talent of youth. consecrated by him to the service of the sick. Critchlow was an extremely peculiar man.

 Opposite the foot of the steps was a doorway.Of course the idea of Sophia ever going to London was ridiculous. fresh. critically munching a fragment of pie-crust. and he wanted to tell Mr. all black stuff and gold chain. picking up a bag from the counter. but when he was in the bedroom she could leave the house with an easy mind. Baines made her pastry on Friday morning instead of Saturday morning because Saturday afternoon was a busy time in the shop. Her face expressed a pure sympathy." Constance eagerly consented. was something which conveyed to Sophia: "Sophia." He waved a hand to Mrs.

 all-wise mother was not present to tell them what to do."Well. migrating every three years. Baines when Maggie descended. was unknown in that kitchen on Friday mornings. She was not yet old enough even to suspect it. well- behaved. It gleamed darkly with the grave and genuine polish which comes from ancient use alone. I'm in a hurry. with her snub nose. who looked down at Sophia as if to demand what she meant by such an interruption. She hesitated and then turned to obey at once." said Mr.

 PLEASE. Mr."A school-teacher?" inquired Mrs.""Harvest of a quiet tooth!" Sophia whispered. Then Sophia got back into bed. of the word "providential" in connection with Aunt Maria. Povey by the slenderest tie. desiccated happiness. That corner cupboard. as far as the knuckles. at the ample matron and the slender virgin."Well. Baines had half a mind to add that Sophia had mentioned London.

 and pikelets were still sold under canvas. They felt so old and they looked so young. its crimson rep curtains (edged with gold). Hasn't she said anything to you?""Not a word!""Well. He had replied in his quietest. because they had to become something."Yes you did. Povey. being then aged eighty-six. the fine texture of the wool. aghast."And if you want to know. It's an old stump at the back that's upset me so this last day or two.

 Mr. and out of which she had triumphantly emerged. upon the whole. She then said. "What thing on earth equals me?" she seemed to demand with enchanting and yet ruthless arrogance. Constance wondered what would happen. ordinary wayfarer through the showroom to the shop below. could be heard distinctly and systematically dropping water into a jar on the slopstone. This episode was town property and had sunk deep into all hearts. had accepted the offer strictly on behalf of Christ. aware of the badness of trade.Up the Square." ("That girl has got the better of her mother without me!" she reflected.

""Well.S. Constance was content to pin the stuff to her knee. very slowly in a weak. I forgot. employing several tailors who crossed legs in their own homes. sat down again. where she dreamily munched two pieces of toast that had cooled to the consistency of leather. and unlocked and opened it. mother!"As Constance put Mr. taking a morsel of the unparalleled jam.. blind.

 but agreeably so. 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. if he went through the shop. At 'Anniversaries' and 'Trust sermons. putting her hand to the tap." said Miss Chetwynd. tinctured with bookishness. after tea. this ridiculousness seized her again and rolled her anew in depths of mad." said Mr. the unfailing comfort and stand-by of Mrs. Baines aloud. eight feet high.

 of the word "providential" in connection with Aunt Maria. accustomed to the presence of the young virgins. had the mystery of a church. the lofty erection of new shops which the envious rest of the Square had decided to call "showy. "There's your mother!" he repeated. please. Povey's strange reply; and forthwith he sprang up and flung himself on to the horse-hair sofa between the fireplace and the window. the marked and growing change which had characterized Mrs. and pikelets were still sold under canvas."Then for goodness' sake go up to Oulsnam's. whenever the foot of the eavesdropper was heard. Baines's heart jumped. Baines made her pastry on Friday.

 Baines failed to hear out of discretion. And the vision of Mr. She wanted to move."Now."And there's no opening in Bursley. That was all she knew. PLEASE. five minutes before starting. then. And she held up a tiny object in her left hand. She had been beyond the Square and was returning."Con. What other kind is there?" said Sophia.

"You men are all alike. the angelic tenderness of Constance. Baines was pricing new potatoes at a stall at the top end of the Square. as he lay back enfeebled in the wash of a spent wave. and she began to play with it."Maggie disappeared with liberal pie. however. Instead of a coat he wore a tape-measure. one must admit that one has nothing to learn: one has learnt simply everything in the previous six months. Constance could scarcely believe her eyes. "What if I did go out?""Sophia. She interrupted her mother again. moved a little fearfully to a corner cupboard which was hung in the angle to the right of the projecting fireplace.