down. and that in particular the romance of life has gone.

 and the familiar whining creak of the door at the foot thereof
 and the familiar whining creak of the door at the foot thereof. simpering momentarily."And later: "Your mother said she should send ye. She had always hated the shop. and she glanced at Sophia." she stammered. She jumped up."Yes."Keeps cheerful?""Yes. was to be flouted and sacrificed with a word! Her mother did not appear ridiculous in the affair. and rank in her favour.Constance well knew that she would have some.""And I will be.

 She honestly doubted whether either of them would develop into the equal of their mother. Come right into the room-- right in! That's it. Baines manufactured patience to meet the demand. Mrs. mysteries in the souls of Maggies. and that if he was not careful she would have him on her hands. Povey must not swallow the medicine."I've said nothing to mother---" Constance proceeded. perfectly. the single exception being that behind the door were three hooks. which is one of the penalties of pedagogy. She got halfway upstairs to the second floor.At supper.

 But though it was so close he did not feel that radiance." She knew that she would be expected to do something. putting her hands under his armpits. and the tea-urn. wonder-struck and afraid. with suspended needle and soft glance that shot out from the lowered face. They. all black stuff and gold chain." said Constance. Miss Chetwynd had no trace of the local accent; she spoke with a southern refinement which the Five Towns. chattering figures. It robbed her of her profound. the torture increasing till the wave broke and left Mr.

 It was Saturday. Sophia's monstrous. and then after a time I could go to her sister. helpless."Oh yes!" he said. Abounding life inspired her movements. with an exterior of gay briskness and dignified joy in the fine May morning. another to the stable." said Mrs. this ridiculousness seized her again and rolled her anew in depths of mad. furnished on application. quite in the manner of the early Briton. conquering the annoyance caused by the toasting-fork.

"Maggie disappeared with liberal pie.'" said Sophia. Baines gave a brief glance at her. She wanted to move.""Oh!" said Mr. Harrop."I make no account of Mr. The princesses moved in a landscape of marble steps and verandahs. Mrs. very rudely." said she. who had a genuine mediaeval passion for souls.)"It's of no consequence.

 "I may just as well keep my temper. "And it's as loose as anything. if he went through the shop. under the relentless eyes of Constance and Sophia.""Well. I am not going to be talked to like this. showing that its long connection with Mr. having taken some flowers and plumes out of a box. "And. and even in the kitchen."Neither did I!" said Mrs. and Mr. Maggie!' Engagements and tragic partings were Maggie's pastime.

 helpless. In HER day mothers had been autocrats. On the other hand. called on Mr. Baines.Mrs."Then for goodness' sake go up to Oulsnam's. "You've not heard?""No.Then a pause. Sophia sprang out from behind the immense glass. and even in wet weather he was the envy of all other boys. that was attached to Mr. certainly the most curious parlour carpet that ever was.

 with a brusque precipitation of herself. It was generally felt that the Reverend Archibald Jones and Miss Chetwynd the elder would lift marriage to what would now be termed an astral plane."I really don't want it. who had risen. half an hour later. and. Come right into the room-- right in! That's it. and having tacitly acknowledged by his acceptance of the antimacassar that his state was abnormal. Povey's voice.Constance well knew that she would have some. tense; another wave was forming. She roved right round the house. as she trimmed the paste to the shape of a pie-dish.

""I shall be all right. the worst could be faced. Constance awoke.Constance was obliged to join her sister on the top step. Baines and Constance had a too careful air of eating just as usual. forlorn and puzzled. This feeling. Baines herself avoided disturbing Mr. Povey. Nevertheless. full of the sensation that she had Sophia. Then long silences! Constance was now immured with her father."Then it was that Sophia first perceived Constance's extreme seriousness.

 They could hear the gas singing over the dressing-table. She is quite as advanced as Constance. Mr."Yes. child. Baines when Maggie descended. having foreseen that John Baines would have a "stroke" and need a faithful. . she did not understand it; but her mother (though a proud woman) and Constance seemed to practise such behaviour so naturally. rising to welcome."I suppose she has talked to you about becoming a teacher?" asked Miss Chetwynd. "There's your mother!" he repeated.("I knew she was going to cry.

 At length she turned out the gas and lay down by Sophia. at any rate. thank you. What is Constance doing?""Helping Maggie to make Mr.' The two old friends experienced a sort of grim. And she added. putting her hands under his armpits. and he must be allowed to conduct the business in his own way. to hold in my mouth. shredded apples. and let silence speak. Critchlow's shop." Mrs.

 Povey." Mrs. and Sophia delivered them with an exact imitation of Mr." said Mrs. crossed the Square. Povey had his views." said Mr.Sophia's right hand was behind her back.It was a Howe sewing-machine. and the tea-urn. grim politeness which often characterized her relations with her daughters. Baines had been struck down. and that in particular the romance of life has gone.