Page:Gissing - The Nether World, vol. I, 1889.djvu/160

 encourage a good understanding between them rather than the reverse.

"You remain in the house?" Kirkwood asked, as they went downstairs.

"I stay with her through the night. I didn't feel much confidence in the doctor that was seeing her, so I made inquiries and found a better man."

When they reached the Close, the door was opened to them by Clem Peckover. She glared haughtily at Sidney, but uttered no word. To Kirkwood's surprise, they went up to the Hewetts' back-room. The mattress that formerly lay upon the floor had been removed; the bed was occupied by the sick girl, with whom at present Mrs. Peckover was sitting. That benevolent person rose on seeing Sidney, and inclined her head with stateliness.

"She's just fell asleep," was her whispered remark. "I shouldn't say myself as it was good to wake her up, but of course you know best."

This was in keeping with the attitude Mrs.