Page:Low Life (Roche).pdf/32

 like that. (He points to the cot-bed in the corner with an imploring gesture.)

(fiercely).—Yes, think of it! That's your daughter's bed. Gladyses bed! And she's never been able to sleep in it for eight months because of 'im. She said to me this mornin'—"Oh, mother, it did feel good to 'ave my own bed again instead of sleepin' acrost the foot wiv you and daddy!" It's no w'y for 'er to do—a clever little girl like Gladys that the teacher calls for in 'er own motor car. (She looks defiantly at the men but her fierceness has departed. She lays down the poker and goes towards the bedroom.) I'll let you 'ave a quilt off our bed. We can do without it now the nights are milder. (She goes into the bedroom.)''bedroom. [sic] The men, left alone, look at each other sheepishly, then, Benn's gaze wandering, he sees the orange on the window-sill, snatches