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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"


"Faith," he exclaimed, when he was already at the door, "who d'ye
think I saw last Sunday? As I was free in the afternoon, I took a
walk, and, coming back, I went into a little coffee-shop for a cup
of tea. A man in an apron came up to serve me, and, by me soul, if
it wasn't poor old Egger! I've heard not a word of him since he left
last Christmas. He was ashamed of himself, poor devil; but I did my
best to make him easy. After all, he's better off than in the
scholastic line."
Waymark laughed at this incident, and stood watching Q'Gree's
progress down the street for a minute or two. Then he went to his
room again, and sitting down with a sigh, fell into deep brooding.


CHAPTER XXXII
A VISION OF SIN


Maud Enderby's life at home became ever more solitary. Such daily
intercourse as had been established between her mother and herself
grew less and less fruitful of real intimacy, till at length it was
felt by both to be mere form. Maud strove against this, but there
was no corresponding effort on the other side; Mrs. Enderby showed
no dislike for her daughter, yet unmistakably shunned her. If she
chanced to enter the sitting-room whilst Maud was there, she would,
if possible, retreat unobserved; or else she would feign to have
come in quest of something, and at once go away with it.


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