Page:While the Billy Boils, 1913.djvu/311

 And he steered her―but not unkindly―through the door.

'My good woman' stood in the crowd outside, and looked wildly round for a sympathetic face that advertised sympathetic ears. But others had their own troubles, and avoided her. She wanted someone to relieve her bursting heart to; she couldn't wait till she got home.

Even 'John's' attentive ear and mildly idiotic expression would have been welcome, but he was gone. He had been in court that morning, and had won a small debt case, and had departed cheerfully, under the impression that he lost it.

'Y'aw Mrs. Aspinall, ain't you?'

She started, and looked round. He was one of those sharp, blue or grey-eyed, sandy or freckled complexioned boys-of-the-world whom we meet everywhere and at all times, who are always going on towards twenty, yet never seem to get clear out of their teens, who know more than most of us have forgotten, who understand human nature instinctively―perhaps unconsciously―and are instinctively sympathetic and diplomatic; whose satire is quick, keen, and dangerous, and whose tact is often superior to that of many educated men-of-the-world. Trained from childhood in the great school of poverty, they are full of the pathos and humour of it.

'Don't you remember me?'

'No; can't say I do. I fancy I've seen your face before somewhere.'

'I was at your place when little Arvie died. I used to work with him at Grinder Brothers', you know.'