“What did you do at lunch time dear?”
“Oh I had to go and see a female unexpectedly.”
“I found your note and thought perhaps you had called in at Baker Street.”
“At your Association, d’you mean? Oh my dear lady.”
Miriam shook her thoughts about, pushing back. “She owes money to almost every nurse in this house and seems to have given in in every way” and bringing forward “one of our very best nurses for five years.”
“Oh I went to see the woman in Queen Square this morning.”
“I know you did dear.” Miss Dear bridled in her secret way, averted, and preparing to speak. It was over. She did not seem to mind. “I liked her” said Miriam hastily, leaping across the gap, longing to know what had been done, beating out anywhere to rid her face of the lines of shame. She was sitting before a judge ... being looked through and through.... Noo, Tonalt, suggest a tow-pic....
“She’s a sweet woman” said Miss Dear patronisingly.
“She’s brought you some nice things” ... poverty was worse if you were not poor enough....
“Oh no dear. The curate brought these. He called twice this morning. You did me a good turn. He’s a real friend.”