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MY SECRET LIFE was empty. The girl was sweeping in front of the cottage, the door was wide open. I gave her a nod, she dropped a respectful curtsey. Looking round and seeing no one, I said, “May I come in and rest, for it is hot and I am tired?” “Yes sir,” said she, and in I went, she giving me a chair; then she finished her sweeping. Meanwhile I had determined to try it on. “Father at home?” “No sir, he be working in the Seven-Acre field.” “Where is your sister?” “At mill, sir”—meaning a paper mill. I thought of Fred. It was my first offer, and scarcely knew how to make it, but chucking her under the chin said, “I wish you would let me—” “What, sir?” “Do it to you”, said I boldly, and I will give you five shillings”, producing the money; I knew it was what Fred gave her usually.

She looked at me and the five shillings, which was then more than her wages for a week’s work in the fields, burst into laughter and said, “Why, who would have thought a gentleman from the Hall would say that to a poor girl like me.” “Let me do it”, said I hurredly, “if you wont I must go—I will give you seven and six pence.” “You wont tell the young squire?” said she—meaning Fred. “Of course not.” She went to the door, looked both ways, then at the clock, shut the door and bolted it without another word.

The house consisted of a kitchen, a bed-room, leading out of it, and a wash-house. She opened the bedroom door, there were two beds which almost filled the room; at the foot of one was a window, by its side a wash-stand. She got on to the largest bed saying, “Make haste.” I pulled up her clothes to her navel and looked. “Oh! make haste”, said she. But I could not, it was the third cunt I had seen, and I paused to —159—