A Mummers Wife | Page 8

so frightened in my life.'
'And how did the fit come on?' asked Mrs. Ede.
'Oh, I can't tell you now,' said Kate. 'I'm so tired. I'm aching all over.'
'Well, then, I'll bring you up your breakfast. You do look tired. It will do you good to remain in bed.'
'Bring me up my breakfast! Then, what time is it?' said Kate, sitting up in bed with a start.
'What does it matter what the time is? If you're tired, lie still; I'll see that everything is right.'
'But I've promised Mrs. Barnes her dress by tomorrow night. Oh, my goodness! I shall never get it done! Do tell me what time it is.'
'Well, it's just nine,' the old woman answered apologetically; 'but Mrs. Barnes will have to wait; you can't kill yourself. It's a great shame of Ralph to have you sitting up when I could look after him just as well, and all because of the mummer.'
'Oh, don't, mother,' said Kate, who knew that Mrs. Ede could rate play-actors for a good half-hour without feeling the time passing, and taking her mother-in-law's hands in hers, she looked earnestly in her face, saying:
'You know, mother, I have a hard time of it, and I try to bear up as well as I can. You're the only one I've to help me; don't turn against me. Ralph has set his mind on having the rooms let, and the mummer, as you call him, is coming here to-day; it's all settled. Promise me you'll do nothing to unsettle it, and that while Mr. Lennox is here you'll try to make him comfortable. I've my dressmaking to attend to, and can't be always after him. Will you do this thing for me?' and after a moment or so of indecision Mrs. Ede said:
'I don't believe money made out of such people can bring luck, but since you both wish it, I suppose I must give way. But you won't be able to say I didn't warn you.'
'Yes, yes, but since we can't prevent his coming, will you promise that whilst he's here you'll attend to him just as you did to the other gentleman?'
'I shall say nothing to him, and if he doesn't make the house a disgrace, I shall be well satisfied.'
'How do you mean a disgrace?'
'Don't you know, dear, that actors have always a lot of women after them, and I for one am not going to attend on wenches like them. If I had my way I'd whip such people until I slashed all the wickedness out of them.'
'But he won't bring any women here; we won't allow it,' said Kate, a little shocked, and she strove to think how they should put a stop to such behaviour. 'If Mr. Lennox doesn't conduct himself properly--'
'Of course I shall try to do my duty, and if Mr. Lennox respects himself I shall try to respect him.'
She spoke these words hesitatingly, but the admission that she possibly might respect Mr. Lennox satisfied Kate, and not wishing to press the matter further, she said, suddenly referring to their previous conversation:
'But didn't you say that it was nine o'clock?'
'It's more than nine now.'
'Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! how late I am! I suppose the two little girls are here?'
'They just came in as I was going upstairs; I've set them to work.'
'I wish you'd get the tea ready, and you might make some buttered toast; Ralph would like some, and so should I, for the matter of that.'
Then Ralph's voice was heard calling, and seeing what was wanted, she hastened to his assistance.
'Where were you last night?' he asked her.
'I slept in the stranger's room; I thought you'd not require me, and I was more comfortable there. The bed in the back room is all ups and downs.'
He was breathing heavily in a way that made her fear he was going to have another attack.
'Is mother in a great rage because I won't let her in?' he said presently.
'She's very much cut up about it, dear; you know she loves you better than anyone in the world. You'd do well to make it up with her.'
'Well, perhaps I was wrong,' he said after a time, and with good humour, 'but she annoys me. She will interfere in everything; as if I hadn't a right to let my rooms to whom I please. She pays for all she has here, but I'd much sooner she left us than be lorded over in that way.'
'She doesn't want to lord it over you, dear. It's all arranged. She promised me just now she'd say nothing more about it, and that she'd look after Mr. Lennox like any other lodger.'
On hearing that his mother was willing to submit to his will, the invalid smiled and expressed regret that the presence of an extra