reak all bounds of discretion. Their grinning faces signalled to Mrs. Bubb as she went by, and she, no less animated, waved a hand to them as if promisi

Go and clean up your dirty kitche

n, indeed! And how many meals had Miss Sparkes eaten there at cost price-aye, often for nothing at all! An

going to turn that key or not

that. I'm going to bed, and going to try to get to sleep if there's any c

m her respectable lips. Words were needless, and in a

Called me every nime she could turn her tongue to! And wouldn'

oothed his moustache and his side-whiskers, and had

to come up with me

to look alarmed,

she's really

he nodded, laughing. "I want both

mmon, I shou

ht to see Polly, and by jorrocks you shall see Polly! Follow

oom; the first-floor lodgers; incapable any longer of self-restraint, were out on the landing. On the next floor it was d

Spar

Come just to say good night? You

are you in your

ered resentfully. "You've bee

t reason. I'm going to break your door open, that's all, a

re you doing here? What

, that's all. Paid for the job

rs. Cheeseman, down b

od; I give you till I've counted fifty, slow.

es without, Mr. Gammon's voice began counting. He expected to hear Polly's k

ht-forty-n

sh and splintering the lock yielded, the door flew open. At the far side of the room stood Polly, but in no attitude of surrender; she held a clothes brush, and as soon as the assailant showed h

s!" he shouted.

nged her delightfully to see Miss Sparkes gripped by the waist and hoisted for removal. But Mrs. Clover was evidently possessed b

mon, I can't

ound. One moment her little fists were pummelling Gammon in the face, the next she tugged at his hair. Then again she scratched a

ut her down at once!" she command

ength a firmer grip of Polly with one of her arms imprisoned. He

shout good-humouredly as ever. "If you tri

growing hoarse. "I'll give you in charge the minute I g

r down the stairs; as it was he soon began puffing and groaning. In spite of the risk Polly still struggled-two stair-rail

give you all in charge, see if I don't. You've all

, Polly seemed for a moment about to rush to the window; a second thought led her to the mirror over the mantelpiece, where, fiercely eyeing the reflected group behind her, she made shift to smooth her hair and arrange h

enched, as if to renew hostilities. "What d'you m

r. I meant to bring you down to spea

laimed Mrs. Clover severely. "I never

! What do you call yourself, eh? A respectable woman? And you look on while your own niece is treated in t

aunt in a revulsion of feeling. "How she can

nd awnt like that, as has been taking your part when I'm sure I wouldn't 'a done! I'd li

t of shedding tears, though her h

ad there's no words for it. But I can't believe you'll let me go away like this,

you've had me knocked about and insult

ught he meant to behave so. I wo

the stairs stood Mr. and Mrs. Cheeseman eager for the latest news of the fray. At their invitation Mrs. Bubb and the hero of the evening step

, Mrs. Bubb; I'l

hat Mrs. Clover was no whit easier in mind; but both had become silent. Merely saying that she would s

ards when Mr. Gammon's voi

of the way home,"

Gammon," was Mrs. Clover's rep

e you into a 'bus

uble; I'd much ra

ked Gammo

ad. I'll say

old displeasure; only for a moment though, as

ected carelessness. "Just as you like

a formal bow-hopelessly awkward, rigid, and self-conscious-and walked r

l right till after supper. And why it should make her angry because I lugged th

chamber, Mrs. Bubb was in the Cheesemans' room. He went down into the k

remark, in the tone which signifies reaction after excitem

hung hi

ly tell her

ew where the 'usband

o you

upstairs, and 'oped her a

t of Mrs. Clover. Have the door mended, Mrs. Bubb,

t, Mr. Gammon,

oked at h

ed if I didn't think it was past midnight!

inside with the chest of drawers) hummed a mirthful strain. As he jumped into bed the events of the evening all at once struck him i