Chapter 10 Mord Em’ly came down the wooden stairs of Walworth Road Station holding her breath, and looking eagerly at the faces of people who were rushing up to catch the train. At the doorway of the station she halted before going out into the windy night. Already there was a sense of disappointment in…

Chapter 7 Mord Em’ly’s mother justified her daughter’s confidence. The interview took place in the presence of Mrs. Wingham, and the two excellent ladies talked to each other, and at Mord Em’ly. It seemed to Mord Em’ly that her mother’s face was thinner. “As I say, ma’am,” remarked Mord Em’ly’s mother, “I only hope she’s…

Chapter 20 A bright morning, and everybody and everything in South London singing cheerfully. Elderly birds in cages, cocking one eye and looking up at the sky, on being hung outside windows straightway began an air of which they had nearly forgotten the tune; the people hurrying along the pavements hummed or whistled; shopkeepers chatted…

Chapter 18 Mord Em’ly paid another visit to the registry office, where her name and a shilling had been recorded with some desire to see if the unexpected happened. Her vague hopes were that she might obtain an engagement at some distant dining-rooms, where she could remain in hiding until Wetherell had forgotten her; that…

The Lobster Quadrille

Chapter XIX Setting an Example It was very quiet in the senior alcove of the library. Lydia cool and serene in immaculate white duck sat back in her chair, her Hegel held well up at the proper distance and angle. Ruth was studying with her elbows on the long table of polished oak, her hands…