Mrs Lirripers Lodgings | Page 9

though she had only come from the
Adelphi Hotel which would not have been much above a quarter of a
mile if the weather had been less severe. Now it did so happen my dear
that I had been forced to put five shillings weekly additional on the

second in consequence of a loss from running away full dressed as if
going out to a dinner-party, which was very artful and had made me
rather suspicious taking it along with Parliament, so when the
gentleman proposed three months certain and the money in advance
and leave then reserved to renew on the same terms for six months
more, I says I was not quite certain but that I might have engaged
myself to another party but would step down-stairs and look into it if
they would take a seat. They took a seat and I went down to the handle
of the Major's door that I had already began to consult finding it a great
blessing, and I knew by his whistling in a whisper that he was
varnishing his boots which was generally considered private, however
he kindly calls out "If it's you, Madam, come in," and I went in and told
him.
"Well, Madam," says the Major rubbing his nose--as I did fear at the
moment with the black sponge but it was only his knuckle, he being
always neat and dexterous with his fingers--"well, Madam, I suppose
you would be glad of the money?"
I was delicate of saying "Yes" too out, for a little extra colour rose into
the Major's cheeks and there was irregularity which I will not
particularly specify in a quarter which I will not name.
"I am of opinion, Madam," says the Major, "that when money is ready
for you--when it is ready for you, Mrs. Lirriper--you ought to take it.
What is there against it, Madam, in this case up-stairs?"
"I really cannot say there is anything against it, sir, still I thought I
would consult you."
"You said a newly-married couple, I think, Madam?" says the Major.
I says "Ye-es. Evidently. And indeed the young lady mentioned to me
in a casual way that she had not been married many months."
The Major rubbed his nose again and stirred the varnish round and
round in its little saucer with his piece of sponge and took to his
whistling in a whisper for a few moments. Then he says "You would

call it a Good Let, Madam?"
"O certainly a Good Let sir."
"Say they renew for the additional six months. Would it put you about
very much Madam if--if the worst was to come to the worst?" said the
Major.
"Well I hardly know," I says to the Major. "It depends upon
circumstances. Would YOU object Sir for instance?"
"I?" says the Major. "Object? Jemmy Jackman? Mrs. Lirriper close
with the proposal."
So I went up-stairs and accepted, and they came in next day which was
Saturday and the Major was so good as to draw up a Memorandum of
an agreement in a beautiful round hand and expressions that sounded to
me equally legal and military, and Mr. Edson signed it on the Monday
morning and the Major called upon Mr. Edson on the Tuesday and Mr.
Edson called upon the Major on the Wednesday and the Second and the
parlours were as friendly as could be wished.
The three months paid for had run out and we had got without any fresh
overtures as to payment into May my dear, when there came an
obligation upon Mr. Edson to go a business expedition right across the
Isle of Man, which fell quite unexpected upon that pretty little thing
and is not a place that according to my views is particularly in the way
to anywhere at any time but that may be a matter of opinion. So short a
notice was it that he was to go next day, and dreadfully she cried poor
pretty, and I am sure I cried too when I saw her on the cold pavement in
the sharp east wind--it being a very backward spring that year--taking a
last leave of him with her pretty bright hair blowing this way and that
and her arms clinging round his neck and him saying "There there there.
Now let me go Peggy." And by that time it was plain that what the
Major had been so accommodating as to say he would not object to
happening in the house, would happen in it, and I told her as much
when he was gone while I comforted her with my arm up the staircase,
for I says "You will soon have others to keep up for my pretty and you

must think of that."
His letter never came when