Harriet carried out her intention of visiting Ida on the following
day. In these three weeks she had only been to Ida's lodgings once.
The present visit was unexpected. She waited about the pavement for
Ida's return from work, and shortly saw her approaching.
"This is kind of you," Ida said. "We'll have some tea, and then, if
you're not too tired, we might go into the park. It will be cool
then."
She dreaded the thought of sitting alone with Harriet. But the
latter said she must get home early, and would only have time to sit
for half an hour. When Ida had lit her fire, and put the kettle on,
she found that the milk which she had kept since the morning for
Grim and herself had gone sour; so she had to run out to a dairy to
fetch some.
"You won't mind being left alone for a minute?" she said.
"Oh, no; I'll amuse myself with Grim."
As soon as she was alone, Harriet went into the bed-room, and began
to examine everything. Grim had followed her, and came up to rub
affectionately against her feet, but she kicked him, muttering, "Get
off; you black beast!" Having scrutinised the articles which lay
about, she quickly searched the pockets of a dress which hung on the
door, but found nothing except a handkerchief.
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