Page:Arminell, a social romance (1896).djvu/57

Rh bedroom floor-joists, were full of rents and out of the perpendicular.

The place looked so ruinous, so unsafe, that Arminell hesitated to enter.

The door had fallen, because the frame had rotted away. Patience led her guest over it into the room. There every thing was tidy and clean. Tidiness and cleanliness were strangely combined with ruin and decay. In the window was a raven in a cage.

"This house is dangerous to live in," said Arminell. "Does Mr. Macduff not see that repairs are done? It is unfit for human habitation."

"Macduff!" scoffed Mrs. Kite. "Do y' think that this house belongs to his Lordship? It is mine, and because it is mine, they cannot force me to leave it, and to go into the workhouse."

"But you are in peril of your life here; the chimney might fall and bury you any windy night. The roof might crash in."

"So the sanitary officer says. He has condemned the house."

"Then you are leaving?"

"No. He has done his duty. But I am not going to turn out."

"Yet surely, Mrs. Kite, if the place is dangerous you will not be allowed to remain?"

"Who can interfere with me? The board of guardians have applied to the petty sessions for an order, and it has been granted and served on me."

"Then, of course, you go?"

"No; they can order me to go, but they cannot force me to go. The policeman says they can fine me ten shillings a day if I remain and defy them. Let them fine me. They must next get an order to distrain to get the amount. They may sell my furniture, but they won't be able to turn me out."