"The 'arder it is the better I shall like it."
"Do you think you could play a part?" I asked.
"On the stage?" she cried, eagerly.
"No; off the stage."
"On or off," she said, with a shade of disappointment, "it don't matter. I'm game for anythink. Let's git aunty settled fust."
Sophy, being now provided with a latch-key, opened the street door, and taking off her roller skates in the passage, preceded me down-stairs. Mrs. Middlemore was darning stockings, and seemed cheerful enough, but when she looked up and saw us her face assumed a colorless expression, and she pressed her hand to her side. Sophy winked at me, and said, in a whisper, "She's putting of it on; she ain't 'urt a bit, no more than you are."
"Oh, good evening, sir," said Mrs. Middlemore, mournfully. "What are yer whispering about, Sophy?"
"Only telling the gent," replied the unblushing girl, "not to speak too loud, 'cause of yer nerves, aunty."
"It's all Sophy's doings, sir," moaned Mrs. Middlemore. "She made me put on a pair of rollers that's going to break 'er legs afore she's done with 'em. She's a double 'andful, sir; I can't manage 'er."
"She has told me of the accident," I said, "and is very sorry for it. Sophy means well, Mrs. Middlemore."