Page:The Van Roon (IA thevanroon00snaiiala).pdf/339

 kept on showing her teeth while he did so, he was informed that she was known among the neighbours as Mother Stark. And the poor old thing, the girl understood, had been turned out of house and home because she could no longer pay her rates and taxes.

"Half her side of the Lane's pulled down," said June, who now came into the conversation on a note of slight asperity.

"Oh, yes," said Miss Smiler, to William rather than to June, "the site has been bought by a company."

"Putting a museum on it I suppose," said June.

"No, not a museum," said Miss Smiler in a level voice ignoring June's irony either because she did not see it, or because she did, which in any case perhaps was just as well for her.

"A chicken run?" June surmised with a disdainful eye upon a nice basket of new laid eggs, five for a shilling.

No, the site had not been acquired for a chicken run. Miss Smiler understood they were going to build a picture house.

June gazed solemnly at William. And her gaze was frankly and faithfully returned. A picture house on the spot where a Van Roon had lain hidden and unknown for who knew how many years!

What a world it was! Could Mother Stark but have guessed she would not have needed a Company to take over her premises.

"What's become of her? Can you tell us?" said June.

"Had to go to the Workhouse, I believe, poor soul," said the girl, who had a good heart.

June looked at William. William looked at June.