'I don't suppose it is.'
'Then you oughtn't to be angry with me.'
'I'm not angry. What do you want?'
'I went to see mother yesterday. I think she wants you to go; it
looked like it.'
'I'll go some day.'
'It's too bad that she should have to keep 'Arry in idleness.'
'She hasn't to keep him. I send her money.'
'But how are you to afford that?'
'That's not your business.'
Alice looked indignant.
'I think you might speak more politely to me in my own house.'
'It isn't your own house.'
'It is as long as I live in it. I suppose you'd like to see me go
back to a workroom. It's all very well for you; if you live in
lodgings, that doesn't say you've got no money. We have to do the
best we can for ourselves; we haven't got your chances of making a
good bargain.'
It was said with much intention; Alice hall closed her eyes and
curled her lips in a disdainful smile.
'What chances? What do you mean?'
'Perhaps if _I_'d been a .particular friend of Mr. Eldon's--never
mind.'
He flashed a look at her.
'What are you talking about? Just speak plainly, will you? What do
you mean by "particular friend"? I'm no more a friend of Eldon's
than you are, and I've made no bargain with him.'
'I didn't say _you_.'
'Who then?' he exclaimed sternly.
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