Tony Walker

Miss Pendleham scraped her well-piled plates tiger clean.

Amelia left her half-sparse portions.

After supper Miss Pendleham said, Fetch my wrap from my bedroom, Amelia.

I forgot to bring it down.

She said that almost every evening, perhaps because she knew how Amelia dreaded going up those dark stairs, ever since she'd had that fright four years ago.

Amelia fetched it, washed up, and returned again to the drawing-room.

"'Now,' said Miss Pendulum, "'you can read to me for an hour.

Get those stories by James.'

"'Well, Claude,' said Clara next morning, "'have you been thinking it over?'

"'Yes, my dear, but I can't see my way clear, I'm afraid.

"'We say she tortures these women, but how does she torture them?

"'She gives them board and lodging, pays them something, "'I suppose a pittance, no doubt, but something.

"'Who would call that torture, save ourselves?

"'And Mr.

Miles?'

and mr miles if you like suppose i did tackle her if she didn't at once show me the door she'd probably call in amelia and ask her if she had anything to complain about no miss pendleham she'd certainly supply and what sort of a fool should i look

Mrs. Redvale, like most women in the group of logic, raised her voice.

"'You've got to be firm, Claude.

You've not to be fooled by that sort of thing.

You must take the offensive.