was kneeling down in the passage doing 'er door-step, and 'er face, as I
got down out o' that cab with Kumbo 'anging on to my arm was something
too awful for words. It seemed to rise up slow-like from near the door-
step, and to go on rising till I thought it 'ud never stop. And every
inch it rose it got worse and worse to look at.

[Illustration: She stood blocking up the doorway with her 'ands on her
'ips.]

She stood blocking up the doorway with her 'ands on her 'ips, while I
explained, with Kumbo still 'anging on my arm and a crowd collecting
behind, and the more I explained, the more I could see she didn't believe
a word of it.

She never 'as believed it. I sent for Mr. Alfredi to come and take Kumbo
away, and when I spoke to 'im about Rupert he said I was dreaming, and
asked me whether I wasn't ashamed o' myself for carrying off a pore black
gal wot 'ad got no father or mother to look arter her. He said that
afore my missis, and my character 'as been under a cloud ever since,
waiting for Rupert to turn up and clear it away.