Thyrza was attracted to her by this air of freedom and joyousness
which distinguished Totty. It was a character wholly unlike her own,
and her imaginative thought discerned in it something of an ideal;
her own timidity and her tendency to languor found a refreshing
antidote in the other's breezy carelessness. Impurity of mind would
have repelled her, and there was no trace of it in Totty. Yet Lydia
took very ill this recently-grown companionship, holding her friend
Mary Bower's view of the girl's character. Her prejudice was
enhanced by the jealous care with which, from the time of her own
childhood, she had been accustomed to watch over her sister. Already
there had been trouble between Thyrza and her on this account. In
spite of the unalterable love which united them, their points of
unlikeness not seldom brought about debates which Lydia's quick
temper sometimes aggravated to a quarrel.

So Lydia finished her marketing and turned homewards with a
perturbed mind. But the other two walked, with gossip and laughter,
to Totty's lodgings, which were in Newport Street, an offshoot of
Paradise Street.

'I'm going with Annie West to a friendly lead,' Totty said; 'will
you come with us?'

Thyrza hesitated. The entertainment known as a 'friendly lead' is
always held at a public-house, and she knew that Lydia would
seriously disapprove of her going to such a place. Yet she had even
a physical need of change, of recreation. Whilst she discussed the
matter anxiously with herself they entered the house and went up to
Totty's room. The house was very small, and had a close, musty