'
'You're going to live there altogether?'
'Yes; it'll be more convenient, and then it'll give them more room
at home. Bob can sleep with the children, and save money.'
'To be sure!' observed the young man with bitter irony.
Clara flashed a glance at him. It was a new thing for Sidney to take
this tone with her; not seldom he had expressed unfavourable
judgments by silence, but he had never spoken to her otherwise than
with deference and gentleness.
'You don't seem in a very good temper to-night, Mr. Kirkwood.' she
remarked in a suave tone.
He disregarded her words, but in a few moments turned upon her and
said scornfully:
'I hope you'll enjoy the pleasant, ladylike work you've found! I
should think it'll improve your self-respect to wait on the
gentlemen of Upper Street !'
Irony is not a weapon much in use among working people; their wits
in general are too slow. With Sidney, however, it had always been a
habit of speech in indignant criticism, and sympathy made him aware
that nothing would sting Clara more acutely. He saw that he was
successful when she turned her head away and moved it nervously.
'And do you suppose I go there because the place pleases me?' she
asked in a cold, hostile voice.
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