'I doubt if his ten shillings a week will bring us much good,' Mrs. Ede answered sourly; and she went upstairs, backbone and principles equally rigid, leaving Kate to fume at what she termed her mother-in-law's unreasonableness.
But Kate had no time to indulge in many angry thoughts, for the tall gaunt woman returned with tears in her eyes to beg pardon.
'I'm so sorry, dear. Did I speak crossly? I'll say no more about the actor,
I'll promise.'
'I don't see why I should be bullied in my own house,' Kate answered, feeling that she must assert herself. 'Why shouldn't I let my rooms to Mr. Lennox if I like?'
'You're right,' Mrs. Ede replied—'I've said too much; but don't turn against me, Kate.'
'No, no, mother; I don't turn against you. You're the only person I have to love.'
At these words a look of pleasure passed over the hard, blunt features of the peasant woman, and she said with tears in her voice:
'You know I'm a bit hard with my tongue, but that's all; I don't mean it.'
'Well, say no more, mother,' and Kate went upstairs to her workroom. Miss Hender, already returned from dinner, was trembling with excitement, and she waited impatiently for the door to be shut that she might talk. She had been round to see her friend the stage carpenter, and he had told her all about the actor. Mr. Lennox was the boss; Mr. Hayes, the acting manager, was a nobody, generally pretty well boozed; and Mr. Cox, the London gent, didn't travel.
Kate listened, only half understanding what was said.