Page:Hopkinson Smith--In Dickens's London.djvu/45

IN LANT STREET "'It'll be a deuced unpleasant thing if she takes it into her head to let out, when those fellows are here, won't it?' &hellip;

"'Horrible,' replied Bob Sawyer, 'horrible.'

"A low tap was heard at the room door, &hellip; and a &hellip; dirty slipshod girl in black cotton stockings, &hellip; thrust in her head, and said,

"'Please, Mister Sawyer, Missis Raddle wants to speak to you'

"Before Mr. Bob Sawyer could return any answer, &hellip; a little fierce woman bounced into the room, all in a tremble with passion, and pale with rage.

"'Now Mr. Sawyer,' said the little fierce woman, trying to appear very calm, 'if you'll have the kindness to settle that little bill of mine I'll thank you, because I've got my rent to pay this afternoon, and my landlord's a waiting below now.' Here the little woman rubbed her hands, and looked steadily over Mr. Bob Sawyer's head, at the wall behind him.

"'I am very sorry to put you to any inconvenience, Mrs. Raddle,' said Bob Sawyer deferentially, 'but——'

"'Oh, it isn't any inconvenience. &hellip; You promised me this afternoon, Mr. Sawyer, and every gentleman as has ever lived here has kept his word, Sir, as of course anybody as calls himself a gentleman does.' And Mrs. Raddle tossed her head, bit her lips, rubbed her hands harder, and looked at the wall more steadily than ever. &hellip;

"'I am very sorry, Mrs. Raddle,' said Bob Sawyer with all imaginable humility, 'but the fact is, that I have been disappointed in the City to-day.' &hellip;

"'Well, Mr. Sawyer,' said Mrs. Raddle, planting herself 19