Liza of Lambeth | Page 9

'At what time d'yer start?'
'The brake leaves at 'alf-past eight sharp.'

'Why, it's only eight; it's only just struck at the church. 'Arry won't be
there yet, will he?'
'Oh, 'e's sure ter be early. I couldn't wite. I've been witin' abaht since
'alf-past six. I've been up since five this morning.'
'Since five! What 'ave you been doin'?'
'Dressin' myself and doin' my 'air. I woke up so early. I've been
dreamin' all the night abaht it. I simply couldn't sleep.'
'Well, you are a caution!' said Liza.
'Bust it, I don't go on the spree every day! Oh, I do 'ope I shall enjoy
myself.'
'Why, you simply dunno where you are!' said Liza, a little crossly.
'Don't you wish you was comin', Liza?' asked Sally.
'Na! I could if I liked, but I don't want ter.'
'You are a coughdrop--thet's all I can say. Ketch me refusin' when I 'ave
the chanst.'
'Well, it's done now. I ain't got the chanst any more.' Liza said this with
just a little regret in her voice.
'Come on dahn to the "Red Lion", Liza, and see us off,' said Sally.
'No, I'm damned if I do!' answered Liza, with some warmth.
'You might as well. P'raps 'Arry won't be there, an' you can keep me
company till 'e comes. An' you can see the 'orses.'
Liza was really very anxious to see the brake and the horses and the
people going; but she hesitated a little longer. Sally asked her once
again. Then she said:

'Arright; I'll come with yer, and wite till the bloomin' old thing starts.'
She did not trouble to put on a hat, but just walked out as she was, and
accompanied Sally to the public-house which was getting up the
expedition.
Although there was still nearly half an hour to wait, the brake was
drawn up before the main entrance; it was large and long, with seats
arranged crosswise, so that four people could sit on each; and it was
drawn by two powerful horses, whose harness the coachman was now
examining. Sally was not the first on the scene, for already half a dozen
people had taken their places, but Harry had not yet arrived. The two
girls stood by the public-door, looking at the preparations. Huge
baskets full of food were brought out and stowed away; cases of beer
were hoisted up and put in every possible place--under the seats, under
the driver's legs, and even beneath the brake. As more people came up,
Sally began to get excited about Harry's non-appearance.
'I say, I wish 'e'd come!' she said. ''E is lite.'
Then she looked up and down the Westminster Bridge Road to see if he
was in view.
'Suppose 'e don't turn up! I will give it 'im when 'e comes for keepin'
me witin' like this.'
'Why, there's a quarter of an hour yet,' said Liza, who saw nothing at all
to get excited about.
At last Sally saw her lover, and rushed off to meet him. Liza was left
alone, rather disconsolate at all this bustle and preparation. She was not
sorry that she had refused Tom's invitation, but she did wish that she
had conscientiously been able to accept it. Sally and her friend came up;
attired in his Sunday best, he was a fit match for his lady-love--he wore
a shirt and collar, unusual luxuries--and be carried under his arm a
concertina to make things merry on the way.
'Ain't you goin', Liza?' he asked in surprise at seeing her without a hat

and with her apron on.
'Na,' said Sally, 'ain't she a soft? Tom said 'e'd tike 'er, an' she wouldn't.'
'Well, I'm dashed!'
Then they climbed the ladder and took their seats, so that Liza was left
alone again. More people had come along, and the brake was nearly
full. Liza knew them all, but they were too busy taking their places to
talk to her. At last Tom came. He saw her standing there and went up to
her.
'Won't yer change yer mind, Liza, an' come along with us?'
'Na, Tom, I told yer I wouldn't--it's not right like.' She felt she must
repeat that to herself often.
'I shan't enjoy it a bit without you,' he said.
'Well, I can't 'elp it!' she answered, somewhat sullenly.
At that moment a man came out of the public-house with a horn in his
hand; her heart gave a great jump, for if there was anything she adored
it was to drive along to the tootling of a horn. She really felt it was very
hard lines that she must stay at home when all these people were going
to have such a fine time; and they were all so merry, and she could
picture