Part 27 (1/2)
When this was over, Mr Poulter said:
”I don't know of what religious persuasion you may be, but would you be offended if I asked you to stay for family prayers?”
”I like you for asking me,” declared Mavis.
”I am overjoyed at a real young lady like you caring to stay,” replied Poulter.
Mr Poulter read a chapter from the Bible. He then offered up a brief extempore prayer. He prayed for Miss Nippett, for Mavis, for past and present pupils, the world at large. The Lord's Prayer, in which the two women joined, ended the devotions.
When Miss Nippett had put on her goloshes, bonnet, and cloak, and Mavis her things, Mr Poulter accompanied them to the door.
”I live in the 'Bush': where do you?” asked Miss Nippett of Mavis.
”Kiva Road, Hammersmith.”
”Then we go different ways. Good night, Mr Poulter; good night, Miss Keeves.”
Mavis wished her and Mr Poulter good night. The two women walked together to the gate, when Miss Nippett hobbled off to the left.
As Mavis turned to the right, she glanced at Mr Poulter, who was still standing on the steps; he was gazing raptly at ”Turpsichor.” A few minutes later, when she encountered the insolent glances of the painted foreign women who flock in the Goldhawk Road, Mavis found it hard to believe that they and Mr Poulter inhabited the same world.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MAVIS'S PRAYER
The next morning, Mavis was awakened by Mrs Bilkins bringing her a cup of tea.
”Bless my soul!” cried Mrs Bilkins, almost spilling the tea in her agitation.
”What's the matter?”
”You've got your window open. It's a wonder you're alive.”
”I always sleep with it open.”
”Well, you are funny. What will you do next?”
Mrs Bilkins sat on the bed, seemingly inclined to gossip. Mavis did not discourage her; for some reason, the landlady was looking different from when she had seen her the day before. Curious to discover the cause, she let the woman ramble on unchecked about the way in which ”her son, a Bilkins,” had ”demeaned himself” by marrying a servant.
Then it occurred to Mavis that the way in which Mrs Bilkins had done her hair was the reason for her changed appearance: she had arranged it in imitation of the manner in which Mavis wore hers.
Presently, Mavis told the woman how she had got temporary employment, and added:
”But it's work I'm quite unaccustomed to.”
To her surprise, Mrs Bilkins bridled up.
”Just like me. I ain't used to letting lodgin's; far from it.”