she had finished her tea and bread-and-butter, Harriet coughed, and,
without facing her companion, spoke in rather a cold way.

"I may be late back to-night, Mrs. Ogle. You won't lock the door?"

"I sha'n't go to bed till eleven myself," was the reply.

"But it may be after twelve when I get back."

"Where are you going to, Harriet?"

"If you must know always, Mrs. Ogle, I'm going to see my friend in
Westminster."

"Well, it ain't no business of mine, my girl," returned the woman,
not unkindly, "but I think it's only right I should have some idea
where you spend your nights. As long as you live in my house, I'm
responsible for you, in a way."

"I don't want any one to be responsible for me, Mrs. Ogle."

"Maybe not, my girl. But young people ain't always the best judges
of what's good for them, and what isn't. I don't think your cousin
'ud approve of your being out so late. I shall sit up for you, and
you mustn't be after twelve."

It was said very decidedly. Harriet made no reply, but speedily
dressed and went out. She took an omnibus eastward, and sought a
neighbourhood which most decently dressed people would have been
chary of entering after nightfall, or indeed at any other time,