It was neither an extensive nor an
exciting establishment, and its only fascination lay in the fact that
the workwomen screamed with laughter at the twins' conversation, and
after leading them to their utmost length, teasing and goading them
into a towering passion, would stuff them with nuts or dates or cheap
sweetmeats. The coat-shop was two or three miles from the hall, and
it was closing time and quite dark when Lisa arrived. She came out
of the door after having looked vainly in every room, and sat down
dejectedly in the entrance, with her weary head leaning against the
wall. There was but a moment's respite for her, for the manager came
out of his office, and, stumbling over her in the dusk, took her by
the shoulders and pushed her into the street with an oath.
'Go and sit on your own doorstep, can't you?' he muttered, 'and not
make me break my legs over you!'
She was too spent to run any further. She dragged her heavy feet
along slowly, almost unconsciously, neither knowing nor caring
whither they led her. Home she could not, dared not go, bearing that
heavy burden of remorse! Mrs. Grubb would ask for Atlantic and
Pacific, and then what would become of her? Mr. Grubb would want to
give Pacific her milk. No, Mr.
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