The Princess took her seat with an air of much dejection. Her pretty lips grew mutinous; she pushed her plate away.
No supper for me! The idea of cold meat without a pickle.
Whats the time? cried Daniel. Not closing time yet. I can get a pickle at the Dukes Arms. Give me a glass, Mrs. Mutimer.
Alice looked up slily, half smiling, half doubtful.
You may go, she said. I like to see strong men make themselves useful.
Dan rose, and was off at once. He returned with the tumbler full of pickled walnuts. Alice emptied half a dozen into her plate, and put one of them whole into her mouth. She would not have been a girl of her class if she had not relished this pungent dainty. Fish of any kind, green vegetables, eggs and bacon, with all these a drench of vinegar was indispensable to her. And she proceeded to eat a supper scarcely less substantial than that which had appeased her brothers appetite. Start not, dear reader; the Princess is only a subordinate heroine, and happens, moreover, to be a living creature.
Wont you take a walnut, Miss Vine? Daniel asked, pushing the tumbler to the quiet girl, who had scarcely spoken through the meal.
She declined the offered dainty, and at the same time rose from the table, saying aside to Mrs. Mutimer that she must be going.
Yes, I suppose you must, was the reply. Shall you have to sit up with Jane?
Not all night, I dont expect.
Richard likewise left his place, and, when she offered to bid him good-night, said that he would walk a little way with her. In the passage above, which was gas-lighted, he found his hat on a nail, and the two left the house together.
Dont you really mind? Emma asked, looking up into his face as they took their way out of the square.
Not I! I can get a job at Baldwins any day. But I dare say I shant want one long.
Not want work?
He laughed.
Work? Oh, plenty of work; but perhaps not the same kind. We want men who can give their whole time to the struggleto go about lecturing and the like. Of course, it isnt everybody can do it.
The remark indicated his belief that he knew one man not incapable of leading functions.
And would they pay you? Emma inquired, simply.
Expenses of that kind are inevitable, he replied.
Issuing into the New North Road, where there were still many people hastening one way and the other, they turned to the left, crossed the canalblack and silentand were soon among narrow streets. Every corner brought a whiff of some rank odour, which stole from closed shops and warehouses, and hung heavily on the still air. The public-houses had just extinguished their lights, and in the neighbourhood of each was a cluster of lingering men and women, merry or disputatious. Mid-Easter was inviting repose and festivity; to-morrow would see culmination of riot, and after that it would only depend upon pecuniary resources how long the muddled interval between holiday and renewed labour should drag itself out.
The end of their walk was the entrance to a narrow passage, which, at a few yards distance, widened itself and became a street of four-storeyed houses. At present this could not be discerned; the passage was a mere opening into massive darkness. Richard had just been making inquiries about Emmas sister.
Youve had the doctor?
Yes, were obliged; she does so dread going to the hospital again. Each time shes longer in getting well.
Richards hand was in his pocket; he drew it out and pressed something against the girls palm.
Oh, how can I? she said, dropping her eyes. NodontIm ashamed.
Thats all right, he urged, not unkindly. Youll have to get her what the doctor orders, and it isnt likely you and Kate can afford it.
Youre always so kind, Richard. But I amI am ashamed!
I say, Emma, why dont you call me Dick? Ive meant to ask you that many a time.
She turned her face away, moving as if abashed.
I dont know. It soundsperhaps I want to make a difference from what the others call you.
He laughed with a sound of satisfaction.
Well, you mustnt stand here; its a cold night. Try and come Tuesday or Wednesday.
Yes, I will.
Good night! he said, and, as he held her hand, bent to the lips which were ready.
Emma walked along the passage, and for some distance up the middle of the street. Then she stopped and looked up at one of the black houses. There were lights, more or less curtain-dimmed, in nearly all the windows. Emma regarded a faint gleam in the topmost storey. To that she ascended.
Mutimer walked homewards at a quick step, whistling to himself. A latch-key gave him admission. As he went down the kitchen stairs, he heard his mothers voice raised in anger, and on opening the door he found that Daniel had departed, and that the supper table was already cleared. Alice, her feet on the fender and her dress raised a little, was engaged in warming herself before going to bed. The object of Mrs. Mutimers chastisement was the youngest member of the family, known as Arry; even Richard, who had learnt to be somewhat careful in his pronunciation, could not bestow the aspirate upon his brothers name. Henry, aged seventeen, promised to do credit to the Mutimers in physical completeness; already he was nearly as tall as his eldest brother; and, even in his lankness, showed the beginnings of well-proportioned vigour. But the shape of his head, which was covered with hair of the lightest hue, did not encourage hope of mental or moral qualities. It was not quite fair to judge his face as seen at present; the vacant grin of half timid, half insolent, resentment made him considerably more simian of visage than was the case under ordinary circumstances. But the features were unpleasant to look upon; it was Richards face, distorted and enfeebled with impress of sensual instincts.
As long as you live in this house, it shant go on, his mother was saying. Sunday or Monday, its no matter; youll be home before eleven oclock, and youll come home sober. Youre no better than a pig!
Arry was seated in a far corner of the room, where he had dropped his body on entering. His attire was such as the cheap tailors turn out in imitation of extreme fashions: trousers closely moulded upon the leg, a huff waistcoat, a short coat with pockets everywhere. A very high collar kept his head up against his will; his necktie was crimson, and passed through a brass ring; he wore a silver watch-chain, or what seemed to be such. One hand was gloved, and a cane lay across his knees. His attitude was one of relaxed muscles, his legs very far apart, his body not quite straight.
What d you call sober, Id like to know? he replied, with looseness of utterance. Im as sober s anybody in this room. If a chap cant go out with s friends t Easter an all?
Easter, indeed! Its getting to be a regular thing, Saturday and Sunday. Get up and go to bed! Ill have my say out with you in the morning, young man.
Go to bed! repeated the lad with scorn. Tell you I aint had no supper.
Richard had walked to the neighbourhood of the fireplace, and was regarding his brother with anger and contempt. At this point of the dialogue he interfered.
And you wont have any, either, that Ill see to! Whats more, youll do as your mother bids you, or Ill know the reason why. Go upstairs at once!
It was not a command to be disregarded. Arry rose, but half-defiantly.
What have you to do with it? Youre not my master.