I suppose I've
a rebellious disposition, and just because sewing is looked upon as
a woman's natural slavery, I rebelled against it.
"By this time I was actually starving. I had one day to tell my
landlady I couldn't pay my rent. She was a very decent woman, and
she talked to me in a kind way. What was better, she gave me help.
She had a sister who kept a laundry, and she thought I might perhaps
get something to do there; at all events she would go and see. The
result was I got work. I was in the laundry nearly six months, and
became quite clever in getting up linen. Now this was a kind of work
I liked. You can't think what a pleasure it was to me to see shirts
and collars turning out so spotless and sweet--"
Waymark laughed.
"Oh, but you don't understand. I do so like cleanliness! I have a
sort of feeling when I'm washing anything, that I'm really doing
good in the world, and the dazzling white of linen after I'd ironed
it seemed to thank me for my work."
"Yes, yes, I understand well enough," said Waymark earnestly.
"For all that I couldn't stay. I was restless. I had a foolish
notion that I should like to be with a better kind of people again
--I mean people in a higher position.
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