Kirkwood was irritated by the conversation
and laughter that fell on his ears, irritated by the distant strains
of the band, irritated above all by the fume of frying that pervaded
the air for many yards about Mrs. Tubbs's precincts. He observed
that the customers tending that way were numerous. They consisted
mainly of lads and young men who had come forth from neighbouring
places of entertainment. The locality and its characteristics had
been familiar to him from youth upwards; but his nature was not
subdued to what it worked in, and the present fit of disgust was
only an accentuation of a mood by which he was often possessed. To
the Hewetts he had spoken impartially of Mrs. Tubbs and her bar;
probably that was the right view; but now there came back upon him
the repugnance with which he had regarded Clara's proposal when it
was first made.
It seemed to him that he had waited nearly half an hour when Clara
came forth again. In silence she walked on beside him. Again they
crossed by the 'Angel' and entered St. John Street Road.
'You've made your arrangements?' Sidney said, now that there were
few people passing.
'Yes; I shall go on Monday.
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