Peckover's reason for conducting Mrs. Gully hither was a justifiable
fear lest, if she came alone, the latter would arrive in too
manifest a state of insobriety. A certain amount of stimulant had
been permitted on the way, just enough to assist a genteel
loquacity, for which Mrs. Gully had a reputation. She had given her
word to abstain from further imbibing until after the funeral.
The news which greeted her arrival was anything but welcome to Mrs.
Peckover. In the first place, there. would be far more work than
usual to be performed in the house to-day, and Jane could be ill
spared. Worse than that, however, Clara Hewett, who was losing half
a day's work on Jane's account, made a very emphatic statement as to
the origin of the illness, and said that if anything happened to
Jane, there would be disagreeable facts forthcoming at a coroner's
inquest. Having looked at the sick child, Mrs. Peckover went
downstairs and shut herself up with Clem. There was a stormy
interview.
'So you thought you'd have yer fling, did you, just because I wasn't
'ere? You must go makin' trouble, just to suit yer own fancies! I'll
pay you, my lady Gr-r-r!'
Whereupon followed the smack of a large hand on a fleshy cheek, so
vigorous and unexpected a blow that even the sturdy Clem staggered
back.
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