Part 78 (2/2)
”I was.”
”I've the very thing you want. Don't run away.”
Mavis hesitated.
”Don't judge of 'em by me. I ain't been quite myself, as you, being another lady, can quite understand, an' I overslep' myself a bit; but if you'll walk inside, you'll be glad you didn't go elsewhere.”
Mavis was so tired, that she persuaded herself that the landlady's appearance might not be indicative (as it invariably is) of the character of the rooms.
”One moment. Oo sent yer?” asked the woman.
”No one. I saw--”
”Didn't Foxy?”
”No one did. I saw the card in the window.”
”Please to walk upstairs.”
Mavis followed the woman up unswept stairs to the first floor, where the landlady fumbled with a key in the lock of a door.
”S'pose you know Foxy?” she queried.
”No. Who is he?”
”'E goes about the West End and brings me lady lodgers.”
”I'm from the country,” remarked Mavis.
”You a dear little bird from far away? You've fallen on a pretty perch, my dear, an' you can thank Gawd you ain't got with some as I could mention.”
By this time, they had got into the room, where the landlady lighted one jet of a dirty chandelier.
”There now!” cried the landlady triumphantly.
Mavis looked about her at the gilt-framed gla.s.s over the mantelpiece, the table, the five chairs (including one arm), the sofa and the chiffonnier, which was pretty well all the furniture that the room contained. The remains of a fire untidied the grate; the flimsiest curtains were hung before the windows. The landlady was quick to notice the look of disappointment on the girl's face.
”See the bedroom, my dear, before you settle.”
This proved to be even less inviting than the sitting-room: hardly any of the furniture was perfect; a dirty piece of stuff was pinned across the window; dust lay heavy on toilet gla.s.s and mantel. Happily contrasted with this squalor was the big bed, which was invitingly comfortable and clean.
Mavis was very tired; she looked longingly at the bed, with its luxurious, lace-fringed pillows. The landlady marked her indecision.
”It's very cheap, miss.”
”What do you call cheap?”
”Two guineas a week; light an' coals extry.”
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