and he never come near when father died, and I had to look out for
myself. Now, he'd like to make a lady of me; he'll wait a long time
till he gets the chance!'

'But wouldn't it be nice, Totty?' Thyrza asked, doubtfully.

'I'd sooner live in my own way, thank you. Fancy me havin' to sit
proper at a table, afraid to eat an' drink! What's the use o'
livin', if you don't enjoy yourself?'

They were interrupted by a knock at the door, followed by the
appearance of Annie West, a less wholesome-looking girl than Totty,
but equally vivacious.

'Well, will you come to the "Prince Albert," Thyrza?' Totty asked.

'I can't stay long,' was the answer; 'but I'll go for a little
while.'

The house of entertainment was at no great distance. They passed
through the bar and up into a room on the first floor, where a
miscellaneous assembly was just gathering. Down the middle was a
long table, with benches beside it, and a round-backed chair at each
end; other seats were ranged along the walls. At the upper end of
the room an arrangement of dirty red hangings--in the form of a
canopy, surmounted by a lion and unicorn, of pasteboard--showed
that festive meetings were regularly held here. Round about were
pictures of hunting incidents, of racehorses, of politicians and
pugilists, interspersed with advertisements of beverages. A piano
occupied one corner.