‘Emma all right?’
‘She’s all right, except for her bad ‘ead-aches. She’s had another of ‘em this week. But I think it’s a bit better to-day.’
‘She’ll have a rest to-morrow.’
The following day was the August bank-holiday.
‘No, she’ll have no rest. She’s going to do some cleaning in Goswell Road.’
Daniel drummed with his fingers on the table.
‘She isn’t fit to do it, that’s quite certain,’ Mrs. Clay continued. ‘I wish I could get her out for an hour or two. She wants fresh air, that’s what it is. I s’pose you’re going somewhere to-morrow?’
It was asked insinuatingly, and at the same time with an air of weary resignation.
‘Well, I did think o’ gettin’ as far as Epping Forest. D’you think you could persuade Emma to come? you and the children as well, you know. I’ll have the mare out if she will.’
‘I can ask her and see. It ‘ud be a rare treat for us. I feel myself as if I couldn’t hold up much longer, it’s that hot!’