"If it's got to be anybody it'd best be 'er. She's given 'im all she's got to give, and he sees 'ow much it is. 'E goes to 'er, I know, and 'e'll keep on going; and she—she'll 'old 'im orf and on—I can see 'er doin' of it, and I don't care. As long as she 'olds' im she keeps other women orf of 'im."
Their silence marvelled at her.
"Time and again I've cried my eyes out, and that's no good. I've got," said Rose, "to look at it sensible. She's really keepin' 'im for me."
Down-stairs, alone with Laura, she revealed herself more fully.
"I dare say 'e won't ever ask me to come back," she said. "But once I've gone out of the house for good and all, 'e'll come to me now and again. He's bound to. You see, she's no good to him. And maybe, if I was to 'ave a child—I might——"
She sighed, but in her eyes there kindled a dim hope, shining through tears.
"Wot I shall miss is—workin' for 'im."
Her mouth trembled. Her tears fell.