"I'd get a better room," she said, revelling. "There's one in the next
'ouse. I'd 'ave a few sticks o' furnisher in it--a bed an' a chair or
two. I'd get some warm petticuts an' a shawl an' a 'at--with a ostrich
feather in it. Polly an' me 'd live together. We'd 'ave fire an' grub
every day. I'd get drunken Bet's biby put in an 'ome. I'd 'elp the
women when they 'ad to lie up. I'd--I'd 'elp 'IM a bit," with a jerk of
her elbow toward the thief. "If 'e was kept fed p'r'aps 'e could work
out that thing in 'is 'ead. I'd go round the court an' 'elp them with
'usbands that knocks 'em about. I'd--I'd put a stop to the knockin'
about," a queer fixed look showing itself in her eyes. "If I 'ad money
I could do it. 'Ow much," with sudden prudence, "could a body 'ave--
with one o' them wands?"

"More than enough to do all you have spoken of," answered Dart.

"It's a shime a body couldn't 'ave it. Apple Blossom Court 'd be a
different thing. It'd be the sime as Miss Montaubyn says it's goin' to
be." She laughed again, this time as if remembering something
fantastic, but not despicable.

"Who is Miss Montaubyn?"

"She's a' old woman as lives next floor below. When she was young she
was pretty an' used to dance in the 'alls. Drunken Bet says she was one
o' the wust. When she got old it made 'er mad an' she got wusser. She
was ready to tear gals eyes out, an' when she'd get took for makin' a
row she'd fight like a tiger cat. About a year ago she tumbled
downstairs when she'd 'ad too much an' she broke both 'er legs. You
remember, Polly?"