“I’ll be careful enough,” said Sam; “and look here—how long shall you be?”
“I’m ready now, Sam,” said his wife.
“Yes, but I’ve got to go down to the yard, and get the keb changed; take me ’bout three-quarters of an hour, it will, and then I’m back.”
Sam went off, muttering to himself; the only words audible being—
“Jest let him, that’s all!”
And within the prescribed time he was driving Mrs Jenkles up to Mrs Lane’s wretched lodgings.
Mrs Jenkles passed in, after a word or two with her husband, and saw at a glance Barney of the black chin smoking in his shop, and Mrs Barney looking over his shoulder. She took no notice of them, and went upstairs, to find Mrs Lane looking very pale and much excited, holding Netta’s hand.
“And how’s my pretty to-night?” said Mrs Jenkles, after a quick glance had passed between her and the mother.
“Quite—quite well,” said the girl, placing both her hands in those of Mrs Jenkles, and holding her face to be kissed; but her unnaturally bright eyes and flushed face contradicted her words, and she kept glancing timidly towards the door.
“That’s right, my dear,” said Mrs Jenkles. “Ah! and I see you’ve got the trunk packed, and all ready. I’ve got some flowers for you at home, and everything waiting; so don’t you go looking like that.”