Her lips were shut, as to any hint at his treatment of her.

Gower went into the shop to speak with Madge. The girl was talking in
the business tone to customers; she finished her commission hurriedly and
joined him on the pavement by the doorstep. Her voice was like the
change for the swing of a door from street to temple.

'You've seen how brave she is, sir. She has things to bear. Never
cries, never frets. Her marriage day--leastways . . . I can't, no
girl can tell. A great nobleman, yes. She waited, believing in him;
she does. She hasn't spoken to me of what she's had to bear. I don't
know; I guess; I'm sure I'm right--and him a man! Girls learn to know
men, call them gentlemen or sweeps. She thinks she has only to meet him
to persuade him she 's fit to be loved by him. She thinks of love.
Would he--our tongues are tied except among ourselves to a sister.
Leaves her by herself, with only me, after--it knocks me dumb! Many a
man commits a murder wouldn't do that. She could force him to--no, it
isn't a house she wants, she wants him. He's her husband, Mr. Woodseer.
You will do what you can to help; I judge by your father. I and Sarah
'll slave for her to be as comfortable--as we--can make her; we can't
give her what she 's used to. I shall count the hours.'

'You sold me apples when your head was just above the counter,' said
Gower.

'Did I?--you won't lose time, sir?' she rejoined. 'Her box is down at
the beastly inn in Kent. Kind people, I dare say; their bill was paid
any extent, they said. And he might do as he liked in it--enter it like
a thief, if it pleased him, and off like one, and they no wiser. She
walked to his big house Esslemont for news of him. And I'm not a