"He's nasty, is Tom Tomlin. I wanted him to be nasty. By Gum! I egged him on to call me a fool and an idiot."
"How I dislike that man!"
"He fairly wallowed in prophecies. It will be the same here. I can hear Pinker goin' it."
"Have you asked Lord Mel's advice?"
Quinney glanced at her sharply.
"His lordship was very kind, but he's my landlord, and I'm a good tenant. He may be offended. I must risk that."
Susan sighed as she said with finality:
"It's done?"
"Thank the Lord—yes!"
He suffered at the hands of Mrs. Biddlecombe, who, since the fire, had become livelier in mind and body. She believed that a miracle had been wrought upon her aged and infirm body, and regarded it as sanctified by a Divine touch. Laburnum Row repeated with awe the old lady's solemn words: