Page:A hairdresser's experience in high life.djvu/225

Rh along the street I saw a young girl in Bloomer costume, and said to her, "My dear child, go and pull off those breeches and put a piece on your dress to let it down, and don't be disgracing all woman kind." The girl, from her looks, made me understand she did not know whether to be frightened or indignant.

I proceeded on to my work. I first went to a lady in the east end, whom I have been combing for the last seven years; the task I have to perform there is a great deal more of pleasure than labor. On entering that morning I found the lady and gentleman at the breakfast table. The cat was at a little distance looking up in the lady's face, and the dog at his master's side looking up at him. I thought this was certainly the coziest dining room I visited daring the winter. From the appearance of the table you might think there were visitors expected, but not so, as this was a continual thing; and if a friend happened in, they would not have to run after plate, knife and fork. As I before said, I have combed this lady for seven years and I have never seen either her or her husband in a bad humor. I finished my work here and then went to three other places and found all cheerful but the fourth place I went to. I was a few minutes too late and got a good scolding. I did not say anything, but made up my mind I would not go there again, but I did return again and was treated a little better, but the old sound was in my ears. "My money,—my position,—no one likes me—I have got more money than such and such a one has, and I don't ask them any odds, and I don't care whether they like me or not—you seem to be very independent here lately, you don't care whether you comb a body or not."