'
Nor had Clem any intention of revealing the name, but she laughed
consumedly, as if her reticence covered the most amusing situation
conceivable.
'It'll be the biggest surprise you ever had in your life. You've
swore you won't speak about it. I don't think I shall come to work
after this week--but you'll have to come an' see us. You'll
promise to, won't you?'
Still convulsed with mirth, Clem went off to another part of the
room. From Jane's countenance the look of amusement which she had
perforce summoned soon passed; it was succeeded by a shadow almost
of pain, and not till she had been at work again for nearly an hour
was the former placidity restored to her.
When final release came, Jane was among the first to hasten down the
wooden staircase and get clear of the timber yard. By the direct
way, it took her twenty minutes to walk from Whitehead's to her home
in Hanover Street, but this evening she had an object in turning
aside. The visit she wished to pay took her into a disagreeable
quarter, a street of squalid houses, swarming with yet more squalid
children. On all the doorsteps Bat little girls, themselves only
just out of infancy, nursing or neglecting bald, red-eyed,
doughy-limbed abortions in every stage of babyhood, hapless spawn of
diseased humanity, born to embitter and brutalise yet further the
lot of those who unwillingly gave them life.
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