Page:The land of many names (1926).pdf/21

 caught by the inspector. It is time that we went to chatter elsewhere.

[Exeunt. ''Pause. A faint rumbling, which dies away. A change of scene, projected by shop-fronts.'']



Oh, dearie me—oh, dearie me! I’m all of a heap, and can hardly drag one foot after the other. Holy Virgin! Rolls, twopenn’orth of pepper and stewing-meat. And milk. My goodness, the price of things! And then soap and lye. And a rag to clean the floor with. And vinegar—I mustn’t forget that.



A new mop and the clock to be mended. And syrup. I heard that you can get it a lot cheaper from the man in the other street. Gracious me! My good woman, haven’t you any eyes in your head? Running into anybody like that. Ah! it’s you, ma’am, is it?



And you! Good-morning. What a fright I’ve had! I was just thinking of you, and wondering how you are and whether you’re all well.



My goodness, what a night it was!



I should just think so, indeed. A dreadful night.

[Enter a.

I tell you, ma’am, no words can describe the terror I’ve been through. The crockery was all on the