Whenever the postman's knock was heard at the door, it
was invariably followed by the appearance of the author in the
passage, often in the scantiest of raiment, to discover whether the
post had brought him any luck. Although his stories were the delight
of the more staid among his readers, the writer was on the best of
terms with the "theatrical" young women, he spending most of his
time in their company. The lodgers at Mrs Gussle's were typical of
the inhabitants of Halverton Street. And if a house influences the
natures of those who dwell within its walls, how much more does the
character of tenants find expression in the appearance of the place
they inhabit? Hence the shabbiness and decay which Halverton Street
suggested.
Mavis heard from Perigal at infrequent intervals, when he would
write scrappy notes inquiring after her health, and particularly
after his child. Once, he sent a sovereign, asking Mavis to have the
boy photographed and to send him a copy. Mavis did as she was asked.
The photographs cost eight shillings. Although she badly wanted a
few shillings to get her boots soled and heeled, she returned the
money which was over after paying for the photographs, to Perigal.
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