"I don't doubt it," said the Scotswoman dourly. "Suppose you get on with the washing, Julia?"
Julia grasped the soap and disappeared, while Mrs. Warner turned to her guest.
"Julia's husband is very fond of soap."
"Rather unusual in a black fellow, isn't it?" asked Mrs. Lester, laughing.
"Quite. He eats it."
"Oh," said Mrs. Lester blankly.
Mrs. Warner was attending to another case. A tall young black answered to a call of "Jacky," and stood before her, looking sheepish.
"Jacky," said Mrs. Warner sternly, "I bin give you Boss's washing to carry down to Julia, and one fellow pair of trousers gone. You tell me what you do with 'em."
"Mine gibit all that pfeller clothes to Julia, missis," said Jacky stolidly. "Mine thinkit she steal 'em that pfeller t'ouser for Ben."
Julia suddenly reappeared, with the briskness of a pantomime artist.