‘It hardly pays the lights,’ said the pretty woman at the door. ‘We have not had good fortune in this town. It seems hard, when there is so much for the money, and the children take such pains in going the rounds in the morning.’
‘And you are Madame Baroni?’ said Sidonia.
‘Yes; I am the mother,’ she replied.
‘I should have thought you had been their sister,’ said Sidonia.
‘My eldest son is fifteen! I often wish that he was anything else but what he is, but we do not like to separate. We are all one family, sir, and that makes us bear many things.’
‘Well, I think I know a way to increase your audience,’ said Sidonia.
‘Indeed! I am sure it is very kind of you to say so much; we have not met with a gentleman like you the whole time we have been here.’
Sidonia descended the stairs; the smoking amateurs made way for him with great parade, and pushed back with equal unkindness the young and wistful throng who still hovered round the portal.
‘Don’t you see the gentleman wants to go by? Get back, you boys!’
Sidonia halted on the doorway, and, taking advantage of a momentary pause, said, ‘All the little boys are to come in free.’