'No, miss, but 'e's 'overin' just now--you know what I mean. I want to
bring 'im up to the scratch, like.'

I could not help thinking what blunt direct methods the lower classes
employ in affairs of the heart. In our walk in life the sending of
such lines to a gentleman who had not declared himself would be
considered almost indelicate. However, I wrote out the absurd lines
for the girl without comment, and rescued Henry's volume of Byron,
which I felt would not improve in appearance by contact with the meat
chopper, knife-board and other miscellaneous objects which she keeps in
the kitchen drawer. It is a pity Netta does not exercise stricter
supervision over Elizabeth. The girl seems to do what she likes.

'You had better ask permission from Mrs. Warrington before taking books
into the kitchen,' I said with gentle reproof. 'They might get lost or
soiled.'

'Right-o!' said Elizabeth. 'An' do you reely mean that you're not
a-goin' to give your fotograft to Mr. Roarings?'

'Indeed not,' I said vehemently, 'don't dare to suggest the idea to me
again. If Mr. Rawlings ever speaks of it to you, you can tell him how
amazed and indignant I was.'

'Right-o!' said Elizabeth, as I hurried out of the kitchen.

On thinking the whole matter over I must admit I am greatly perturbed.
I am not like those women who glory in winning a man's love for the
mere gratification of their vanity. I know myself how much one can