Page:Adams - A Child of the Age.djvu/92

80 I got up on to the carpeted plank: dragged open the door: and went quickly down the steps. At the foot, with my hand on the latch, I cried out: 'Mrs. Smith! Mrs. Smith!' And, when she came from the room on the left just by me, put the three shillings into her hand, the florin and one shilling, and said: 'There is the money for her.'

I had the door open as her fingers closed. She was staring at me stupidly enough; but I saw that she understood what I meant. Then I stepped out quickly: ran across the road, and stopped for a moment, looking ahead to see if I could see her.… If she escaped me after all!

Three great gas-jets flared some fifty yards down, on the opposite side, in front of a fish-shop. I saw her pass by it, casting an irresolute shadow, her head bent down as before, her hands evidently holding one another in front. A few people were moving to and fro. I walked quickly along the pavement, till I came opposite her.

She hesitated for a moment at the corner of a street. I crossed over, just behind her. As she made her first step forward, I touched her arm, and said:

'Stop.'

She started, turned round sharply, and seemed to recognise me. For a moment we stood facing one another.

'You must not go,' I said, 'I have persuaded Mrs. Smith. She will let you—she will wait till the end of the week.'

She answered nothing. Then I turned from her, and walked away.

I had gone some ten yards, when I heard her running after me. She laid her hand for a moment on my arm, and said, panting:

'You are very kind, sir: very kind. You're very good' 'I am neither kind, nor good. I have done nothing,' I said.

'You have paid Mrs. Smith for me,' she said, 'I know you have. She would not wait else.—But I will pay you back, sir, for sure, on Saturday.'