A Mummer's Wife

and was away before she was down. She tormented herself trying to find reasons for his absen

ate was not very successful either in extracting theatrical news from Hender. 'If she's going to be close with me, I'll show her that two can play at that game,' and she answered that she had not noticed any limp. But Mrs. Ede told Kate he limped so badly that she felt sure he must have met with an accident. Which was she to believe? Mother, of course; but feeling that only direct news of him would satisfy her, she waited next morning in the kitchen. But the trick was not successful; she was serving in the shop, and heard him leave by the sid

lock Mrs. Ede's

; there is someo

he found herself face to fac

' the lady said, after a slight hesit

infant?' Kate asked, p

not born yet, but I

casting a rapid glance in the

t in a box under the coun

d with a bundl

you feel the warmth of this, ma'am?' she said, sprea

udged she was at her first confinement, and with short phrases and quick movements proceeded to

some very nice ones at two pounds ten; but

y. The lady spoke of her fears, of how much she wished the next fortnight was over, of her husband, of how long she had been married. She was Mrs. Wood, the stationer's wife in Piccadilly. Kate said she knew her customer's sh

d to hide up the things that were on the counter. Mrs. Wood was mildly embarra

uite agree with you-and I'll call aga

o lose a chance of doing a bit

baby clothes-shall I

reply, and as she sidled and backed out

into a corner to allow her to pass out, and then, still apologizing, he

for the last two days. Where h

te, and instead of answering him coldly

t me to be? But you've been out

talk of our boss drying up, but I think it's all right. I'll tell you about that another time. I want you to come to the theatre to-mor

did not understand. The rapidly stated facts bewildered her, an

s impossible; if my mother-in-law heard

drunk for the last three days; he can't even make up the returns. No, no; you must come to-morrow night. Come with

hat excuse can I give for being

hen; you can leave befor

ent out f

ot have appeased Kate's fears so completely as the simple suggestion of a walk, and her face lit up wit

he said, taking he

e replied, sti

ng two or three pieces of paper into her han

ht flush for a moment illumina

that your head was lying on my shoulder, and it was so n

s if afraid; and in the pause which ens

't disappoint me, will you? The doors open at half-past six. If yo

r hurried away, leaving Kate to examine t

to meet Mr. Lennox at the theatre was not sufficient for Hender; she must needs question Kate how this change had come about in her. 'Was she really spoons on the actor?' At these words Kate, who wished to leave everything vague, the facts as well as her conception of them, declared that she would rather not go to the theatre at all, if such remarks were to be made. Whereupon Miss Hender took a view less carnal, and the tw

than a week, he followed Kate into the back room, worrying her wi

happened more fortunately, and, with many instructions as to where they should meet, she hurried away. But she was no sooner gone than Kate remembered she had no one to leave in charge of the shop. She should have asked one of th

in her pocket for the last month. She took a pair of grey thread from the window, but while pulling them on her face changed expression. Was it Ralph coming d

ightened at? You did-didn't

Kate answered

thou-ght I would come down, but

ore he could speak a

are you

t going fo

ink of nothing but pleasure and-,' a very rude word which she had never heard Ralph use before. But it might be that she was mistaken. Poor man! it was distressing to watch him gasping for breath. He lean

at's it,' she said, for it had suddenly come into her mind that ever since she had told him of a certain sale of aprons and some unexpected orders for baby clothes he had often mentioned that the worst part of these asthmatic attacks was that they prevented his attendance in the shop. 'The shop is his pleasure just as the theatre is Hender's,' Kate said as she hurried up Piccadilly to the theatre, her he

that rate?' said Mrs. Ede, who

replied in a voice dry

that, it will do you good.

the town. Up on the h

t way. There's a fruiterer's shop where you can get

importance as this theft of her evening's pleasure. It was with difficulty that she saved herself from sayi

t,' she said; 'perhaps

ones. Kate, dear, what is the matter? Are you all right?'

right, but you

ng. The strain on her nerves was at height during the first half of the walk, for during that time she knew that Mr. Lennox was expecting her; afterwards, while bargaining with the

ust leave me; I've

rry, Ka

ome work to fin

the stairs; then, laying aside the shirt she was making, she stole out to meet him. He s

Why didn't you come to the thea

I met my mo

n the floor now went out, and the indication

n involuntary feeling of voluptuousness. She trembled as the vague outline of his big

?' she heard him s

tell you, for I didn't want you to go away angry; it wasn't my

as waiting at the door for you. I c

ht of what she had lost, and after a

k another time I shall be

we're going to get another dat

ill you come bac

n't be so unlucky the next time a

ghed, and the convers

d you good

t a kiss, so that I may ha

kiss me? You have

hat's all nonsense, and I

ve y

e foot of the staircase, he took her in his arms. She at first made no resistance,

he said, speaking with her lips close to his

all, Mr. Lennox loosed his