'Why not, dear?'

'I don't _dislike_ him, but he mustn't get to think it's any thing
else. I'll go out with him if you'll go as well,' she added, fixing
her eyes on Lydia's.

The latter bent to pick up a reel of cotton.

'We'll see when to-morrow comes,' she said.

Silence again fell between them, whilst Lydia's fingers worked
rapidly. The evening drew on. Thyrza took her chair to the window,
leaned upon the sill, and looked up at the reddening sky. The
windows of the other houses were all open; here and there women
talked from them with friends across the street. People were going
backwards and forwards with bags and baskets, on the business of
Saturday evening; in the distance sounded the noise of the market in
Lambeth Walk.

Shortly after eight o'clock Lydia said

'I'll just go round with my boots, and get something for dinner
to-morrow.'

'I'll come with you,' Thyrza said. 'I can't bear to sit here any
longer.'

They went forth, and were soon in the midst of the market. Lambeth
Walk is a long, narrow street, and at this hour was so thronged with