remarked in a suave tone.

He disregarded her words, but in a few moments turned upon her and
said scornfully:

'I hope you'll enjoy the pleasant, ladylike work you've found! I
should think it'll improve your self-respect to wait on the
gentlemen of Upper Street !'

Irony is not a weapon much in use among working people; their wits
in general are too slow. With Sidney, however, it had always been a
habit of speech in indignant criticism, and sympathy made him aware
that nothing would sting Clara more acutely. He saw that he was
successful when she turned her head away and moved it nervously.

'And do you suppose I go there because the place pleases me?' she
asked in a cold, hostile voice. 'You make a great mistake, as you
always do when you pretend to know anything about me. Wait till I've
learned a little about the business; you won't find me in Upper
Street then.'

'I understand.'

Again they walked on in silence. They were nearing Clerkenwell
Close, and had to pass a corner of the prison in a dark lane, where
the wind moaned drearily. The line of the high blank wall was
relieved in colourless gloom against a sky of sheer night. Opposite,
the shapes of poverty-eaten houses and grimy workshops stood
huddling in the obscurity. From near at hand came shrill voices of
children chasing each other about--children playing at midnight