Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/96

 journeyed on, however, doubts as to the wisdom of consulting Mrs. Robbins assailed her. She would put herself, to a certain extent, in the woman's power, and the civilest of laundresses might not be pleasant as a confidante. Again, Mrs. Robbins might gossip with the servants at Beaconsfield Gardens, and as Miss Semaphore's one aim was to avoid the tongues of her fellow-boarders, she felt the risk to be too great.

Accordingly, though she had paid her fare to Hammersmith Broadway, she presently signalled to the conductor to set her down.

"We ain't there yet, mum," said that functionary. "You sed 'Ammersmith."

"No matter, no matter," answered Miss Prudence, "I wish to be set down here."

The man obeyed, and the lady was left standing on the pathway, considering what she should do next.

Mechanically she turned down a side street, and noticed at the door of a clean-*looking house a chubby-faced, bright young woman, nursing a baby. Summoning up all her courage, Miss Semaphore approached her, and with unconscious diplomacy remarked,

"What a very fine child! Is it yours?"