The Lion's Share by Arnold Bennett
page 128 of 434 (29%)
page 128 of 434 (29%)
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instructions are--never to avoid publicity. There is to be no more window
breaking for the present. Something new is being arranged. The hammer is so heavy, and sometimes the first blow does not break the window. The situation is _very_ serious, and the Government is at its wits' end. This we _know_. We have our agents everywhere. All the most thoughtful people are strongly in favour of votes for women; but of course some of them are afraid of our methods. This only shows that they have not learnt the lessons of history. I wonder that you and dear Mrs. Moncreiff do not come and help. Many women ask after you, and everybody at Kingsway is very curious to know Mrs. Moncreiff. Since Mrs. Burke's death, Betty has taken rooms in this house, but perhaps Tommy has told you this already. If so, excuse. Betty's health is very bad since they let her out last. With regard to the rent, will you pay the next quarter direct to the concierge yourselves? It will save so much trouble. I must tell you----'" Slowly Audrey moved up to the table and leaned over the letter by Miss Ingate's side. "So you see!" said Miss Ingate. "Well, we must show it to Tommy in the morning. 'Not learnt the lessons of history,' eh? I know who's been talking to Nick. _I_ know as well as if I could hear them speaking." "Do you think we ought to go to London?" Audrey demanded bluntly. "Well," Miss Ingate answered, with impartial irony on her long upper lip. "I don't know. Of course I played the organ all the way down Regent Street. I feel very strongly about votes for women, and once when I was helping in the night and day vigil at the House of Commons and some Ministers came out smoking their _cigahs_ and asked us how we liked it, I was vehy, vehy angry. However, the next morning I had a cigarette myself and felt better. |
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