Ida explained that she was out of employment, news which
could scarcely be news to the listener, who would in that case have
heard it with far less composure. There were long silences,
generally brought to an end by some outburst of forced merriment
from Harriet. Ida was without consciousness of time, but her
restless imagination at length compelled her to go forth again.
Harriet did not urge her to stay, but rose and watched her as she
went into the other room to put her things on. In a few moments they
had parted.
The instant Harriet, from the head of the stairs, heard the
front-door close, she ran back into her bed-room, put on her hat,
and darted down. Opening the door, she saw Ida moving away at a
short distance. Turning her eyes in the opposite direction, she
perceived a policeman coming slowly down the street. She ran towards
him.
"I've caught her at last," she exclaimed, as she met him, pointing
eagerly after Ida. "She's taken a brooch of mine. I put it in a
particular place in my bed-room, and it's gone."
"Was she alone in the room?" inquired the constable, looking keenly
at Harriet, then down the street.
"Yes, she went in alone to put her things on.
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