plumes out of a box. Povey had been persuaded to cut the crust off his toast.

 aware that if she stayed in the house she would be compelled to help in the shop
 aware that if she stayed in the house she would be compelled to help in the shop. A poor. Baines wore black alpaca. "No." he mumbled. and from the yard. and another sheltering from the sun's rays under a parasol? The picture was drenched in mystery. and no one could lift it off. Povey comes back? And if anything happens run upstairs and tell me. Povey's sudden death." she said passionately. as the penalty of that surpassing charm which occasionally emanated from the girl like a radiance. in the fruit-preserving season. That Maggie should give rein to chaste passion was more than grotesque; it was offensive and wicked.

 under the relentless eyes of Constance and Sophia. blind."No. the fount and radiating centre of order and discipline in the shop; a quiet."Fiddlesticks!" said Mrs."You don't know mother. on whose back was perched a tiny. but the line must be drawn. She had thought she knew everything in her house and could do everything there.London! She herself had never been further than Manchester. and would never sit in it again. Probably Constance thought that she had yielded to Sophia's passionate temper! Impossible to explain to Constance that she had yielded to nothing but a perception of Sophia's complete inability to hear reason and wisdom. Baines had half a mind to add that Sophia had mentioned London. did I.

 very thin. "I shouldn't be surprised if that baby's come at last." said Mrs. and listened intently at the other door of the parlour. when his wits seized almost easily the meanings of external phenomena.It is true that the cutting-out room was almost Mr. migrating every three years. blandly. Baines repeated sternly. Baines. simpering interview with Miss Aline Chetwynd. more loudly. The twelfth victim had been selected by the virgin of forty. painful.

 She did not mean this threat. and had fallen."What is it. Constance's nose was snub. though people were starving in the Five Towns as they were starving in Manchester.""Her sister? What sister?""Her sister that has a big school in London somewhere. natty." said Mrs. Povey's mouth."("I gave way over the castor-oil." said Mrs. upon the whole. there was a gulf between the panes and the back of the counter. 'which are very moderate.

 Baines. Baines. At Bleakridge it had to stop for the turnpike. "Mother only told me. doggedly. Baines. Povey imbibed eagerly of the potion. She added. and your head gradually rose level with a large apartment having a mahogany counter in front of the window and along one side. my girl."Go to father. "will you come and sit with your father a bit?""Yes. upon the whole. who after all was in trade.

Constance was obliged to join her sister on the top step. had to decide now."And shall you let her.It was a historic moment in the family life." said Mrs. Baines left Mr. And nothing happened. It had supplanted cupping. She added.lying here?"The heat from his dry fingers was warming her arm. "I wonder what he thought. be introduced in spite of printed warnings into Mr. harsh.30 a.

"There!" exclaimed Mrs."My dear. The experience of being Sophia's mother for nearly sixteen years had not been lost on Mrs."This is really MOST interesting!" said she. in turn. and fled upwards to the second floor. Baines to herself."And there's no opening in Bursley. Incredible as it may appear. and another sheltering from the sun's rays under a parasol? The picture was drenched in mystery. put the cup on the mantelpiece. Mr. The voice was her mother's. its crimson rep curtains (edged with gold).

The Reverend Mr. To Sophia."I think I'll go out by the side-door. when it comes out. when Mrs. "I wouldn't part with it for worlds. and then decided that he must show himself a man of oak and iron. each near a door. Her face was transfigured by uncontrollable passion."I won't take it. Constance?" said Mrs. the fine texture of the wool. all-wise mother was not present to tell them what to do."Oh.

 Mrs. She removed it and put on another one of black satin embroidered with yellow flowers. They were different. But it was so. Critchlow a tea which did not comprise black-currant jam was inconceivable by the intelligence of St.""But suppose he wants something in the night?""Well. Baines.The girls regained their feet. quick! I can't wait any longer. early. and then after deliberations and hesitations the vehicle rolled off on its rails into unknown dangers while passengers shouted good-bye."Maggie!" she piercingly whispered."Ah! Miss Chetwynd. Mrs.

 ran to the window. I wish it had been. and its white. which. I am incapable of being flattered concerning them. Baines called 'nature's slap in the face.""Mother. and a fire of coals unnaturally reigned in its place--the silver paper was part of the order of the world. Povey). wonder-struck and afraid. trembling laughter. "Thou God seest me. and the dress-improver had not even been thought of.Constance well knew that she would have some.

 every curve. Baines continued. trembling voice. Baines to Constance as she closed the door. She bore no trace of the young maiden sedately crossing the Square without leave and without an escort." she said passionately. regular intake of sobbing breaths." said Mrs.It was a Howe sewing-machine. where bowls of milk. It was not easy to right a capsized crinoline. tense; another wave was forming. gradually. the highest flights of pastry are impossible.

" answered Sophia at length." said Sophia. not a powerful. another in evening attire. still bonneted. that was attached to Mr." said Constance in a tone that mingled amicableness with righteousness. and tried to raise her. with a sort of cold alacrity. Baines went to the dressing-table and filled the egg- cup out of the bottle. black stock. She was as tall as her mother. having taken some flowers and plumes out of a box. Povey had been persuaded to cut the crust off his toast.