The Odd Women

her mind to accept Miss Barfoot's offer, the coming week would be her last of slavery behind the counter. On the way home from Queen's Road, Alice and Virginia press

Portland Street, would gladly accept a partner in her lodging-an arrangement to

r a long silence, as they drew near to York Road Statio

Virginia. 'You don't think

I shall see how I feel a

thus indicated. A strange inquietude appeared in her behaviour. It was

that of Widdowson. He was walking on the other side of the street, and away from her. When the man was exactly opposite Scotcher's establishment he gazed in that direction, but without stopping. Monica hastened, fearing to be seen and approac

less, listening with the intensity of dread. She could hear footsteps on the pavement; she expected a r

s features had been discernible as he turned towards her. Was this the first time that he had come to look at the place whe

in. The low burning gas showed her that only one bed had an occupant, who appeared to be asleep. Softly she went to the window, d

nly asked a voice f

Eade. Monica looked

are you d

if some one was s

mean

ther

ains all down my back too. I shan't stay at this beastly place much longer. I don't want to get ill, like Miss R

ne. Good

ca left

ere asked; she was of no particular importance; fifty, or, for the matter of

soon as possible after closing time that evening, in front of the shop. 'We have something very deligh

to run out, and close at hand w

e heard by the afternoon post yesterday. A lady at Yatton wa

thinking of,' put in the eldest, with her cro

the school?' sai

convenient both for Clevedon and Weston. Alice will be able to run over to b

bject of conversation, and inspirited them by seeming to restore their self-respect. After all, they might have a mission, a task in the world. They pictured themselves the heads of a respectable and thriving establishment, wi

ce?' their younge

, Mrs. Darby says. They want me at once, and it is very like

ablished, and in half a year, or less, we shall be able to come to a d

, I

surroundings the very antithesis of domesticity. Only a few yards away, a girl, to whom the pavement was a place of commerce, stood laughing wi

er that would be worth while. It is so comfortable with Mrs. Conisbee, and for the short remaining time-Christmas, I should think, would be a very good time for opening. If it were possible to decide upon dea

u go as well?

he year. Remember how very likely it is that Miss Nunn will have something to suggest for me. And when I think it will be of so much practical use for me to see her frequently for

reap much profit from intercourse with them. They have the new ideas in education, and

had talked in the same strain for a q

, so I suppose I shall be able to m

Monica turned to walk quickly home. She had gone about half the way, when her name was spoken

this time?' she asked

had a hope that

and looked at h

alk now, Mr. Widdows

ed. It surprise

you? Why

emed so very unlik

d you have hop

leasure, and Widdowson kept beside he

ou, Miss Madden. I wished to be near t

come out I

N

ladies, my sisters. I walked with them to the station, and no

have been very restless since Sunday. I wished so to meet you, if onl

said

next Sunday, as we arranged.

ek I leave my place here, and on Sunday I

have decided to make t

es

l me where you ar

d Street. I must say good-night

give me o

ay-I can't-

walked past the shop many times without pausing; his eyes devoured the front of the building, and noted those windows in which there was a glimmer of light. He saw girls enter by the private door

ny the writer on a drive in Surrey. Widdowson proposed to meet her at Herne Hill railway station, where his vehicle w

going to the new lodgings and making the acquaintance of her future companion there; in the afternoon, her sisters were to pay her a visit, as Alice had decided to start

ldest sister is leaving London, and Sunday will be my last day with her, perhaps for a long time. Please do not think that I ma

A MAD

in very small characters-perhaps an unpurposed indication of

again a letter from Wi

the streets unaccompanied at so late an hour. I believe that any man who had newly made your acquaintance, and had thought as much about you as I have, would have experienced the same feeling. The life which made it impossible for you to see fri

. Thank you very much for the promise to tell me how you like the new employment and your new friends. Shall you not henceforth be at leisure on other days besides Sunday? As

ce, and believe me, dear

WIDDO

en to her that he was willing to go 'any distance' for the reward of looking on her face. She read the composition many times, and with many

nd already had begun to show how precise and exacting he could be. A year or two ago the image of such a man would have repelled her. She did not think it possible to regard him with warm feelings; yet, if he a

life-story sounded credible enough, and the very dryness of his manner inspired confidence. As things went in the marriage war, she might esteem herself a most fortunate young woman. It seemed that he had really fallen in love with her; he might prove a devoted hu

she suggested. Perhaps she has told you that I have my own furniture; it is very plain, but, I think, comfortable. For the two rooms, with attendance, I pay eight and sixpence a week; my landlady will ask eleve

eeting with Widdowson. At breakfast-time she said good-bye to the three or four girls in whom she had any interest. Miss Eade was delight

pstead Road-an uphill little street of small houses. When the cab stopped, the door of the house she soug

per?' Monica said

As London cabmen have a narrow view of thei

he staircase, then, the fare having been paid, went up to the second floor, which was the top of the house. Miss

l it

quarters in Walworth Road! But I

er, with a simple frankness that was very agreeable. 'Miss Barfoot

s little disturbance

Market; a hay and straw market. Quite pleasant odours-country odours-reac

Monica. 'I com

ve a strong suspicion that all the reall

y. Miss Vesper was fond of making dry little jokes in the gravest tone; only

ndlady to help me u

nto the saucepan with the potatoes. She cooks for me only on Sunday, and if I didn't remind her every week she would

r gave way to open mirth, she enjoyed it so th

of the most contented of young women. She had sisters and brothers, whom she loved, all scattered about England in pursuit of a livelihood; it w

was a simpleton; I thought myself ill-used because I had to work hard for next to no payment and li

Miss Nunn?'

Her zeal makes her exaggerate a little now and then, but then

u m

t's very weak, no doubt; perhaps I shall improve as I grow older. But I have ha

companion's view of life began to have an effect upon her; she thought of people

at so much a square foot. It was only of late that Miss Vesper had been able to buy furniture (four sovereigns it cost in all), and thus to allow herself the luxury of two rooms at the rent she previously paid for one. Miss Barfoot did not remunerate

rked, 'and kick a great deal. It wo

illumination, and her zeal in the cause of independent womanhood rivalled Miss Nunn's. Without enthusiasm, but seemingly contented, Monica worked at the typewriting machine, and had begun certain studies whi

n. She possessed four volumes of Maunder's 'Treasuries', and to one or

volous. What I need is a store of solid information, to reflect upon. No one could poss

desire to cultivate Maunder's acquaintance. Instead o

s with expectation of seeing him somewhere in the neighbourhood; she felt assured that he had long ago come to look at the house, and more likely than no

she had been buying at a draper's, and carried the little parcel. At the moment of recognition, Wid

id in a low voice, as she gave her

with an air more resembling coquet

spoke to

id you

re walking in Tottenham Cou

, the friend

minutes now?' he asked h

nto the quiet district that skirts Regent's Park, Widdowson talking all the way in a strain of all but avowe

about the places where you are. Don't, pray don't think I spy upon you. Indeed, it is only just to see your face or your

for that, Mr

hink of me with less friendliness than

iendliness. But if I

restlessness would be at an end. The summer is going so quickly. Won't you come for that drive with me next Sund

outheast entrance to Regent's Park at two o'clock. He thanked her

spot with horse and trap. These were not, as he presently informed Monica,

ng at the sky. 'It shan't rain! The

t did,' Monica replied, in mer

. He took a south-westward course, crossed Waterloo Bridge, and thence by the highways made for He

Widdowson answere

hat

stroy it-every house. Many a time,' he added, in a lower voice, 'when

I had to stand

that way-but the people about you! I hated every

like the

, I know you didn't. Why did

y rather than sym

ica replied frankly. 'And then I didn't kno

excitement?' he asked,

o, but one mus

ddowson became silent, and prese

, Miss Madden-the

, built together with stone facings, por

pretty or noticeable about it, and it isn't at all grandly furnis

nica did not allow

nice house,' she

lone-without strangers, that is to say. I told you that I am not very sociable. When I got my house, I was like a child with a toy; I couldn't sleep for satisfaction. I used to walk all over it, day after day, before it was f

pe. He answered her very briefly, and for a long time neither spoke. Then

se pleased you. Have you still t

hoping-I daren't say more.

we going now,

some innkeeper to make tea for us. Look, the sun is trying to break through; we shall have a fine e

feel

ong time on the horse's ears, Widdow

-in-law. Would you be willi

that, Mr. Widdowson,' Mon

It was useless; Monica listened quietly, but without sign of yie

treet-lamps began to show themselves in long glimmering lines, Widdowson returned

u know that I want you to be my wife. Will you tell me if there is anythin

atever of yo

the opportunity of making things between us more regular? Wi

her you di

w still more of

much better before I can cons

n the ordinary way, and knew each other's frie

be explained. I have behaved very strangely. If I told e

ore than try to recommend myself to you. If I am so unha

peak of you at all, or make it known that I am engaged to you. I can't ha

d; he set his lips in a

fter that first conversation, or conduct myself as I have been doing. I think it's a very hard position. My sisters would call me an immodest girl, but I don't think it is true. I may perhaps come to feel you as a girl ought to when she marries, and how else can

tain. Widdowson looked at her wi

g each other. I love you with all my soul'-he choked a little at this first utterance of the solemn word-'and your rules s

g to look for me when

er come again. And you wil

ery week. But I must st

try to win you as any ma

n the hard highway and clouds