Part 21 (1/2)

Matilda could bear this side of the affair, but resented the allusion to the butcher with undiminished fervour.

”Oh! what awful sn.o.bs you all are!” Katherine exclaimed, exasperated out of her amused tolerance at last. ”I am not the least ashamed of him: I am proud, on the contrary. He was honest and made money. Why are you and Mabel and all your friends such absurd shams, Tild!--There is nothing disgraceful in being lower middle cla.s.s; it is honourable and worthy.

Why on earth pretend to belong to another, when anyone who knows can see it is untrue--or if you hate your real station, then do as I am doing, educate yourself out of it.”

”Educate myself out of it!” Matilda was incensed. ”Why, I'm sure we are all as fairly educated as any ladies need be.”

This point of view naturally ended the argument for Katherine; she could only smile again.

”All right--it is your birthday, dear old Tild, so I won't quarrel with you! By the way, where is Bob Hartley? I don't see him here to-night.”

The fiance of Gladys was prevented from coming by a severe cold, she was informed.

And so the evening pa.s.sed with the Bunny Hug and games, and the gramophone shouted forth its n.i.g.g.e.r songs, in which they all joined.

”Hasn't it been too lovely, Kitten,” Matilda said affectionately--her whilom indignation fled as they walked up the narrow stairs. ”I've never had such a perfect birthday party, and I am sure you could not have had a more refined, enjoyable evening, not in any home.”

Katherine kissed her as she turned into her room.

”You dear old Tild,” she said, and then presently Gladys came in.

Katherine was seated in a shrunk dressing-gown which she had left behind, and Em'ly had lighted a fire in the attic grate.

The two girls looked at one another, and then Gladys was asked to sit down.

”I know what you are going to say,” and Katherine's voice was deep and level. ”You would not have to say it if you had not always been such a fool, my poor Glad--you have got into trouble, of course, and Bob Hartley is not playing the game.”

Gladys burst into pa.s.sionate sobs.

”However did you guess, Kitten! Why, Tild doesn't know a thing!”

”Most likely not--Well, what do you want him to do--marry you?”

”Why, of course, Katherine; that is what he promised most solemnly beforehand--at Brighton. You know it is his mother who has kept him back; his Aunt Eliza, with whom we stayed, is quite willing for me. I am sure I'm as good as him, anyway.”

Further sobs.

”Oh! that part does not matter a bit, as good or not as good--these awful men like Bob Hartley always seduce women with promises, solemn promises, of matrimony and that sort of stuff; if they meant them, they would not forestall matters--vile brutes!”

”There is no good in abusing Bob, Kitten; he has always meant kind; it is his mother, I tell you, has got at him!”

”Does she know?”

”Oh, my! I hope not. No one knows but you--and Bob.”

”Have you told him he must marry you at once?”

”Yes, I've implored him to on my bended knees.”

”And he has refused?”