'Miss Peckover I' cried the latter when she had reached the foot of
the stairs.

'Well, what is it?' asked Clem, seeming to come up from the kitchen.

'Will you 'ave the goodness to go an' speak to Mrs. Hewett for a
hinstant?' said the woman, with much affectation of refined speech.

'All right! I will just now, if I've time.'

The visitor tossed her head and departed, whereupon Clem at once ran
upstairs. In five minutes she was back in the kitchen.

'See 'ere,' she addressed Jane. 'You know where Mr. Kirkwood works
in St. John's Square? You've been before now. Well, you're to go an'
wait at the door till he comes out, and then you're to tell him to
come to Mrs. Hewett at wunst. Understand?--Why ain't these
tea-things all cleared away? All right Wait till you come back,
that's all. Now be off, before I skin you alive!'

On the floor in a corner of the kitchen lay something that had once
been a girl's hat. This Jane at once snatched up and put on her
head. Without other covering, She ran forth upon her errand.





CHAPTER II