I understand as he was a
man as called hisself a gentleman. He was allus that jealous of the
pore innocent thing, mem--castin' in her teeth things as I
couldn't bring myself not even to 'int at in your presence, Miss
Woodstock, mem. Many's the time he's beat her black an' blue, when
she jist went out to get a bit o' somethink for his tea at night,
'cos he would 'ave it she'd been a-doin' what she 'adn't ought--"
"Where is she?" Ida asked, thinking she had now gathered enough of
the features of the case.
"I said at the Clock 'Ouse, mem. Mrs. Sprowl's took her in' mem, and
is be'avin' to her like a mother. She knew her, did Mrs. Sprowl, in
the pore thing's 'appy days, before ever she married. But of course
it ain't likely as Mrs. Sprowl can keep her as long as her pore life
lasts; not to speak of the expense; its a terrible responsibility,
owin' to the hepiplectic ailment, mem, as of course you understand."
"Can't she get into any hospital!"
"She only just came out, mem, not two weeks ago. They couldn't do no
more for the pore creature, and so she had to go. An' she 'asn't not
a friend in the world, 'ceptin' Mrs. Sprowl, as is no less than a
mother to her."
"Do you know her name?"
"Mrs.
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