 18. Mrs. Mundy cannot find Etta Blake. She went this morning to the house just opposite the box factory, but no one is living there. 19. A for-rent sign is on it. After trying, without success, to find from the family so live in the neighborhood where the people who once occupied the house have gone, she went to the agent, but from him also she could learn nothing. 20. They were named Banch. A man and his wife and three children lived in the house, but where they have moved nobody could tell me, or give me a thing to go on. They went away between sun-up and sun-down, and no one knows where. 21. Mrs. Mundy, who had come to my sitting-room to make report, before taking off her coat and hat, sat down in a chair near the desk at which I had been writing, and smoothed the fingers of her gloves with careful precision. She was disappointed and distressed that she had so little to tell me. 22. I couldn't find a cell who I've ever heard of a girl named Etta Blake. Four people are generally sociable and know everybody in the neighborhood, but didn't anybody know her? Mr. Park, the agent, said the man paid his rent regular, and he was sorry to lose him as a tenant, but he didn't know where he had gone. If his wife took boarders, he didn't know anything about it. The girl might have rented a room. 23. Mrs. Mundy hesitated, looked at me uncertainly. 24. Shall I ask Mr. Grimm to help me find her? If she's in town, he had soon nowhere. 25. Something in her voice sent the blood to my face. 26. You mean, oh, no, you cannot. Do not mean, I don't know. It's usually the end. The only one they have to come to when a man like Mr. Thorn's brother makes a girl lose her head about him. After he tires of her, or when he's afraid there may be trouble, there is up to be a row, and he quits. When he's gone, the girl generally ends down there. 26. Mrs. Mundy's hand made movement over her shoulder. 27. Respectable people don't want to have anything to do with girls like that, and it's hard for them to get work. After a while they give up and go to what the only place some of them had to go to. 28. Would you mind if I ask Mr. Grimm? I shook my head. 29. No, I would not mind. 30. Going over to a window, I opened it, and as the sunshine fell upon my face, it seemed impossible that such things as Mrs. Mundy feared were true. But I knew now they were true, and shiveringly I twisted my hands within my arms, as if to warm my heart, which was cold with a nameless something it was difficult to define. On one side of me the little elfish creature with her frightened eyes and short curly hair seemed standing. On the other, the girl to whom Harry was engaged. I could not help them. Could not help them. Could help no one. If David Gard, I thought of him that crutched my throat lessened. David Gard could help them. He had promised to come whenever I sent for him, and to him I could talk as to no one else on earth. 31. I will see Mr. Grimm tonight. It won't be new to him. The finding of a girl who has disappeared. He's found too many. I'll be careful what I tell him, and Mr. Thorne needn't worry. Mrs. Mundy got up. Did you say he was coming this afternoon? He is coming tonight. I'm going out this afternoon. Mrs. Mundy walked slowly to the door. She would have enjoyed talking longer, but I could not talk. A sense of involvement with things that frightened and repelled with things of which I had hitherto been irresponsibly ignorant was bewildering me, and I wanted to be alone. I knew I was a coward, but there was no special need of her knowing it. I had been honest in thinking I wanted to know all sorts of people. To see myself, and women like me, from the viewpoint of those denied my opportunities. But it had not occurred to me as the possibility of Scarborough Square that I should come in contact with any of the women of Lilypiers' world. People like that had hardly seemed the human beings other people were. And now? Tell Mr. Grimm whatever you think best. My back was to Mrs. Mundy. The girl is in trouble. You must see her. Bring her here if you cannot go to her, and try and learn her side of the story. It's an old one, perhaps, but it isn't fair that she should be shoved into hell and the lid shut down to keep her in, and the man let alone to go where he pleases. It isn't fair, but it's the world's way, and always will be lessen women learn some things they ought to know. They wouldn't stand for some of the things that go on if they understood them, but they don't understand. They've been tongue-tied and hand-tied so long they haven't taken in yet they've got to do their own untying. It's a pretty lonely job and a pretty hard one. I turned from the window. Kitty's automobile had stopped in front of the house. I was to go in it to call on Mrs. and Mrs. Swink. Kitty had insisted that I use it. I dressed quickly, putting on my best garments, but as I got into the car, something of the old protest at having to do what I did not want to do, to go where I did not want to go came over me, and I was conscious of childish irritability. I did not care to know the Swinks. Eternity wouldn't be long enough, and certainly time wasn't to waste on people like that, and yet because Selwyn had asked me to call, I was doing it. All men are alike. When they don't know how to do a thing that's got to be done, they tell a woman to do it. It was not my business to tell the Swink person and her daughter that they should be careful concerning matrimonial alliances. I would agree with them that such intimation on my part was presumptuous, and I had no intention of making it. What I was going to do I did not know, but it was necessary to see them, talk with them before any suggestions could be made to Selwyn as to a tactful handling of an embarrassing situation, and an obedience to this primary requisite I was calling. In their private parlor at the Melbourne pompously furnished, and bare of all things that make a room reflective of personality, Mrs. Swink and her daughter were awaiting me on my arrival, and the moment I met the former, all the perversity of which I am possessed rose up within me, and for the latter I was conscious of sympathy, based on nothing save intuitive antipathy to her mother. In worldly I warned myself to behave, but I wasn't sure I was going to do it. Oh, how do you do? Mrs. Swink, a fat, florid, frizzy person, waddled toward me with outstretched and bejeweled hands, and took mine in hers. Mr. Thorn told us he would certainly call, and we've been waiting for you ever since he told us. Charmed to meet you, this is my daughter Madeline. Where's Madeline? She turned her short red neck, bound with velvet, and looked behind her. Oh, here she is, Madeline, this is Ms. Reed. You know all about Ms. Reed, who's gone to such a queer place to live? Harry told us. Two sharp little eyes, sunken nests of embracing flesh, winked confidentially at first me, and then her daughter. Yes, indeed, we know all about you. Sit down, Madeline, push a chair up for Ms. Reed. Heath, mother! The girl called Madeline turned her pretty dissatisfied face toward her mother, and then looked at me. She never gets names right, she just hits at them and says the first thing that comes to her mind. Pulling a large chair close to a table on which was a vase of American beauty roses, she waited for me to take it, then went over to the window and sat beside it. Well, everybody's got a mental weakness. A bright and blue brocaded chair, elbows on its gilt arms, mother's swing surveyed me with scrutinizing calculation, and as she appraised, I appraised also. Full bosomed of body and short of leg, she looked close-kin to a frog in her tight fitting purple gown with its iridescent trimmings and low-cut neck, and from her silver-buckled slippers to the crimped and russet-coloured transformation on her head, which had slipped somewhat to one side, my eyes went up and then went down, and I knew if Harry ever married her daughter, this punishment would begin on earth. Yes, indeed, everybody's got a mental weakness, and I'm thankful mine's no worse than forgetting names. I ought to remember yours, though. It makes you think of funerals and weddings and things like that. I love names which... Her name is Heath, mother. Not Reid. Oh yes, of course. This certainly is a beautiful day. If El Paso hadn't been so far away, we'd have brought one of our cars with us, but I don't see any sense spending all that money when you can hire cars so cheap by the hour. Madeline don't like to ride in hired cars. I like any kind of car. So far I had had no opportunity of doing more than bent my head, a chance to speak, not having been permitted me, but at her mother's pause for breath, the girl at the window looked down upon the street and then turned her face toward me. That's a pretty car you came in. Can you drive it yourself? I have no car. That's Kitty's. I mean Mrs. McBrides. That reminds me, I have a message from her. She could not call this afternoon, and she asked me to say she hopes you can both come in Thursday afternoon and have tea with her. She's always at home on Thursdays and yes indeed, we'll be glad to come. Mrs. Wink took up Kitty's card which had been sent up with mine and looked at it through her lawn yet, suspended around her neck by a chain studded with amethyst, large and small. We'll come with pleasure, won't we, Madeline? Shall we write and tell her? Of course not, mother. Didn't you just hear Miss Heed say it was a regular at home day? You don't write notes for things like that. Miss Wink's eyes again turned my direction. I'm much obliged but I don't think I can come. I have an engagement for Thursday. If it's with Harry, he won't mind waiting a while. With unconcealed eagerness, Mrs. Wink twisted herself in her tight and two embracing chair for the moment forgetting, seemingly, that I was a hearing person. You can't afford to miss a chance like that. You'll meet the best people. Harry can stay to dinner. I'll get tickets for the theatre. He won't come to dinner. I asked him. Say he's sick. The girl slips, curled slightly. He's always sick when... Madeline? The sudden change in Mrs. Wink's voice was beyond belief and with the shrug of her shoulders, the girl again looked out of the window. I was making discoveries with an expected rapidity. Discoveries that were filling me with speculation and promising conclusions that were at variance with servants and for a moment the uncomfortable silence following the sharp ejaculation wasn't broken by me in the realisation of my unwilling participation in a bit of family revelation and also by inability to think of anything to say. I hope you can come. My turn was but feebly urging. Everybody has such a good time at Kitties. I hope, too, you're going to like our city. I looked from mother to daughter as I uttered the usual formulas for strangers. This is not your first visit. Oh no, we've been here several times before. We like it very much. It's so distinct way and all that. Mrs. Wink's hand went to her head and she patted her transformation but failed to straighten it. I was born in Alabama and Mr. Swink in Missouri and Madeline in Texas so we feel keen to also durners and at home anywhere in the south. But I like this city best of any in it. Someday, I reckon, we'll live here. Her voice was significant and again she looked at her daughter but her daughter did not look at her. We think it is a very nice city but I suppose I'd love any place in which I had to live. That is, I tried to. You have old friends here, I believe, and of course you will make new ones. My voice was even less affirmative than interrogatory. I hardly knew what I was saying. I was thinking of something else. Yes, indeed, that's what we expect to do. We don't know a great many people here. Mrs. Haddon, Cressy and I are old friends but we don't see much of each other. I suppose you know the Cressys. I know of them very well. They are among our most valuable people. I have often wanted to know Mr. and Mrs. Cressy. Their son, Tom, I used to see often as a boy but of late I rarely come across him. What's become of him? He was one of the nicest boys I ever knew. Mrs. Swing's hand made expressive gesture but the girl at the window gave no sign of hearing me. In her face, however, I saw color creep. Saw also that she bit her lips. Nobody knows what he does with himself. Mrs. Swing sighed. After all the money his father spent on his education and after everybody took him up he dropped out of society and stuck at his business as if he didn't have a cent in the world. He hasn't any ambition. He could go with the most fashionable people in town if his parents can't but he won't do it. He must be a great disappointment to his parents. With a slow movement of her shoulders Mrs. Swing turned and looked at her mother in her eyes that which made me sit up. What the look implied I was unable altogether to understand but I could venture a guess at it and on the venture I spoke. He's a pride of their life, I've been told. Any parents would be proud of such a son. That is, if they were the kind of parents a son could be proud of. I'd like to see Tom. I used to be very fond of him when he was a boy. He lived just back of his and he and Kitty were great friends as children. I'm afraid he's forgotten me, however. No, he hasn't. Mrs. Swing stopped as abruptly as she began but the colour that had crept into her face at mention of Tom Cressy's name now crimson did and again she turned her head away. In her eyes, however, I had caught the gratitude flashed to me and quickly I desired it. I must see her alone, talk to her alone and so absorbed was I in wondering how I could do it that only vaguely did I hear Mrs. Swing, who was telling me of various engagements already made of the difficulty of getting in what had to be gotten in between manicured and maracelt and massaged and kyropodised and tailored and dress-makers and had she not been so interested in the telling she would have discovered I was not at all interested in hearing. She did not discover. When for the third time I saw Mrs. Swing glance at the watch upon her wrist and then out of the window I knew she was waiting for someone to pass. It wasn't Harry. There was no necessity for furtive watching for Harry to pass. The latter's plane of sickness was evidently not convincing to the girl. I looked at the clock on the mantel. I had been in the room 27 minutes but I didn't agree with him that Mrs. Swing was in love with his brother. Her engagement to him was due, I imagined, not so much to her literalness as to her mother's management. An unholy desire to demonstrate that the latter was not of a scientific kind possessed me and quickly my mind worked. End of Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Of People Like That This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org People Like That by Kate Langley-Bosher Chapter 19 With eyes apparently on Mrs. Swing I missed no movement of her daughter and when presently I saw her put her elbow on the windowsill and wipe her lips with her anchor-chief and then make movement as if to brush something away, I got up made effort to say goodbye unhurriedly to her mother and went over to the girl. As I held out my hand I glanced out of the window exactly opposite and looking up at it was Tom Cressy, his handkerchief to his lips. I took the hand she held toward me in both of mine and something in her eyes, something both mutinous and pleading filled me with sympathy I should not have felt, perhaps. She was only nineteen and her mother was obviously trying to make her marry Harry when she probably loved Tom. It was all so weak and so wicked, so sordid and stupid that I felt like Kitty when with Alice Herbert. I needed disinfecting. I would have to get away before I said things I shouldn't. Your mother says the Mazeuse comes this afternoon. Can't you take a drive with me while she's here? I turned to Mrs. Swing. You will not mind if she leaves you for a little while. It is too lovely to stay indoors. No, indeed I won't mind. I'll be glad to have her go if she'll do it. Lately she won't do anything but sit at that window. Mrs. Swing who had gotten out of her chair with difficulty turned to her daughter, blinking her little, near sighted eyes at her as if she were beyond all human understanding and the fretfulness of her tone she made no effort to control. She is that restless and hard to please and hard to interest in anything that she nearly wears me out. Girls didn't do like that when I was young if I'd had a hundredth part of what she's got. What's the use of having things you don't want? Mrs. Swing's shoulders made resentful movement. Then she turned to me for a moment, hesitated. Thank you very much for asking me, but I can't go this afternoon. I need exercise. If I don't walk a great deal, I I'd much rather walk. I love to walk. I must know why she was meeting Tom without her mother's knowledge. I'll send the car home and we'll walk together. It isn't often that I have an afternoon without something that must be done in it. I'll wait here while you get your hat and coat. Into the girl's face came flush that spread slowly to the temples and uncertainly she looked at me. My eyes held hers and after half a moment she turned and went out of the room. Coming back she followed me into the hall and to the elevator, but eyes on the gloves she was fastening, she said nothing until we reached the street. On the corner opposite us, Tom Cressy was standing in the doorway of a cigar shop and as he saw the car dismissed saw us across the street and come toward him into his honest, if not handsome face came puzzled in difficulty. Not until in front of him did I give evidence of seeing him. Then I stopped. Why, Tom Cressy? I held out my hand and as he took it I noticed the one holding his hat was not entirely steady. It's ages since I've seen you, Tom. You know, Miss Wink, I believe. I pretended not to see their formal and somewhat frightened pearl. We're going to walk. Can't you go with us? Come on, we're going to the park. Slipping my arm through mad lines, I caught step and on the other side of her Tom did likewise, hands in his pockets and into both faces came glow that illuminated them and enlightened me. At the end of our walk I would know pretty well what I wanted to know. For an hour and a half we walked briskly and talked along lines usually self-revealing and by the time the hotel was again reached I was quite satisfied concerning a complicated situation that needed skillful steering to avoid a dangerous and disastrous smash up. Can't I go home with you, Miss Dandridge? Tom twisted his hat nervously. It's too late for you to go so far by yourself. Please let me go with you. Of course you're going with me. After dark I'm only a baby person and I like a nice big man with me. Goodbye dear. I turned to mad line. Some afternoon if your mother does not mind come down and have tea with me in Scarborough Square. Tom can come too and bring you home. I'll telephone you one day next week. With a note I walked away but not before I saw a flash of joy pass between two faces which were raised to each other and guiltily I wondered if I had again done something I shouldn't. I was always doing it. Hurrying on with Tom I talked of many things but at my door I turned to him and held out my hand. I haven't any right to ask you but I'm going to ask you. You care for each other and something is a matter. What is it Tom? Matter. Indignation, wrathful and righteous, flared in face and voice and Tom's clutch of my hand was more fervid than considerate. Her mother is a matter. She is batty on the subject of society and position and first families and fashion and rot of that salt all right in its way but not in her way. I'm not aristocratic enough for her. She doesn't want her daughter to marry me because we haven't any family brush and coats of arms and don't belong to the inside set and marrying me wouldn't give Madeline what she wants her to have. Madeline don't want it she wants you I understand does Mrs. Swink want her to marry someone else? I hated my pretended ignorance but I must know just what he knew know if Madeline had told him who is it she wants her to marry? Harry Thorn if she knew what others knew of Harry Tom bit his lip I don't want to go into that however not my business but if she was told she wouldn't believe she don't want to believe she wants her daughter to marry what Harry can give her an honoured name which he has dishonoured Tom took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead in his eyes boyish incomprehension of incomprehensible things men are wicked Miss Dandridge but they wouldn't do what some women do they've got it in their hands to do a lot they won't do women have and if it wasn't for some of them for those we believe in the world would go smash in certain ways as far as men are concerned what's the use of keeping straight and living clean when plenty of women don't seem to care or certainly don't ask too much about a man if he's got money or anything but if they want for their daughters Mrs. Wink is determined that Madeline shall marry Harry but has Madeline no will of her own if she permits her mother to dispose of her she's been disposed of since she was a baby and resistance wears thin after a while I suppose the tips of Tom's right shoe made a small circle on the brick pavement but presently he looked up at me it's pretty queer for me to be telling things like this I did understand a fellow I've often wished I could come and see you Madeline and I were engaged once why aren't you engaged now tell me anything you want what happened mother's swing happened Tom's words came jerkily she wouldn't even let me talk to her made a devil of her own dragged Madeline all around Europe wouldn't let her have a letter from me sent her back herself and told Madeline if she married me she would never speak to me that ought to have given you courage why didn't you marry Madeline I couldn't get hold of her and besides she got so worked up that she went all to pieces and I wasn't patient enough I guess when they came back I managed to see her once but we both got mad and said things we shouldn't and she gave me up I heard Harry had been giving her a rush in El Paso and if Mrs. Wink can manage it she'll have Madeline engaged to him are you able to marry Tom? is there any reason why you shouldn't no there isn't his head went up I can't give her what her mother can but I can take care of her all right on the first of next May father makes me gentle manager of the business he hasn't spared me because I was his son and he wouldn't give me the place until I had earned it but I'll get it pretty soon now I wish you knew my father Miss Dandridge there isn't any sort of searchlight he can't stand and it isn't his and mother's fault if I can't stand them also I don't think they'd be uneasy if anywhere to be turned on I wouldn't good night Tom be careful how you meet Madeline how many times have you seen her since she got here just once before this afternoon his face flushed something is the matter she's not like herself her mother is up to something when you want to see her come down here and see me don't meet on corners or in the park and the next time you're engaged don't let a girl think you're going to wait indefinitely if she isn't willing to marry you and go to Pungo if necessary she isn't the girl for you to marry good night at the door I turned Tom was still standing at the foot of the steps staring at me in his face slow dawning understanding end of chapter 19 chapter 20 of people like that this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org people like that by Kate Langley-Bosher chapter 20 as Selwyn and David Gard shook hands eagerness of desire must have been in my face for Selwyn turning seemed puzzled by what he saw going into the room or joining my sitting room I left them alone for a few moments and when I came back I was careful to keep out of my eyes that which as yet it was not wise that they should tell I have long since learned a man must not be hurried certainly not a man of Selwyn's type sitting down in a corner of the sofa I nodded to the men to sit down also but that which they had been discussing while I was out of the room still held and returning to it they stood a while longer one on either side of the mantelpiece and hands in my lap I watched them with hope in my heart of which they did not dream they are strangely contrasting Selwyn and David Gard that is so far as outward in physical appearance is concerned but of certain inward sympathies certain personal standards of life certain intellectual acceptances and rejections they have far more in common than they imagine and to find this basis upon which friendship might take root is a desire that sprang into life upon seeing them together should they ever be friends they would be forever friends of that I am very sure by Selwyn's side David Gard seemed smaller frailer less robust than ever yet about him was no hint of feebleness and his radiation of quiet force was not lessened by Selwyn's strength his clothes were shabbier than ever his cravat even less secure than usual and the long lock of hair that fell at times across his forehead was greyer than formerly I thought but no externals could dim the consciousness that he was a man to be reckoned with opposite him Selwyn seemed the embodiment of all he lacked the well-being of his body the quiet excellence of his clothes the unconscious confidence born of ability and abundance the security of established position marked him a man to whom the gods have been good but the gods mock all men in Selwyn's eyes was search for something not yet found in David Gard's the peace that comes of finding I had hardly thought of there knowing each other tonight quite back accident they had met Selwyn had come according to agreement David Gard to tell me of a case in which he was interested he had come before Selwyn and at the latter's entrance had started to go I would not let him go if they could be made friends God what a power they could be they were discussing the war the afternoon's reports had been somewhat more ghastly than usual the 20th century obviously doesn't propose to be outdone by any other period of history recorded or unrecorded one hand in his pocket an elbow on the mantral shelf Selwyn looked at David Gard in the quarter of a million years in which man, or what we term man has presumably lived on this particular planet nothing so far has been discovered I believe which tells of such abominations as are taking place today it's an interesting epoch from a standpoint of man's advance in scientific barbarism it deepens certainly our respect for our primeval ancestors David Gard smiled grimly I understand there are still tree dwellers in certain parts of Australia who knock one another in the head when it so pleases them to do for the settlement of difficulties their methods require much less effort and trouble than ours on the whole I prefer their manner of fighting each side can see what the other is about so do I curled up in the corner of the sofa I had not intended to speak a woman's opinions on war don't interest men the fundamental instinct in man to fight may require a few thousand more years to yield to the advisability of settling differences around a table in a council chamber but one can't tell much less time may be necessary the tree dwellers and the cave dwellers and the tent dwellers spent most of their time scrapping we do have intervals of peace in which to get ready to fight again on a wounded day though their intervals were shorter perhaps owing to their simpler methods of attack Selvon laughed in their day warfare being largely a personal or tribal affair little time was necessary for preparation with us the whole machinery of government is needed to murder and maim and devastate and ruin civilization and science and education have complicated pretty hopelessly the adjustments of disputes the military the acceptance of opposing ideals the biggest artillery and the best brains for butchery at present are having their day humanity in the making has a discouraging side it has David Guards voice was emphatic though he too laughed if humanity made claim to being a finished product there'd be justification for more than discouragement it makes no such claim fists and clubs and slingshots axes are handier weapons and guns and cannon and armoured airships and undersea craft but in the days of the former using but one kind of army was sent out to fight today we sent out two two Selvon looked puzzled what two one to undo as far as possible the work of the other the second army, not the first is the test of humanity's advance the army that tries to keep life in the man the other army has tried to kill to give back what has been taken away to help what has been hurt to feed what has been starved to clothe what is made naked to build up what has been broken down each country that today gives fight equips and trains and sends out two contrasting armies they work together but with opposing purposes the second army has a good many women in it but it's so stupid, so wicked and wasteful to fight over things rarely finally settled by fighting it's bad business my hands twisted shiveringly in my lap do you suppose the time will ever come when man will see it's the animal's way of getting what he wants of keeping others from getting what he's got of settling difficulties and defending points of view do you think he'll ever find a better way in a few thousand years yes Selvon again smiled and changing his position stood with his back to the fire when we have the same code for nations as for individuals the same insistence that what's wrong in and punishable for a man is wrong in and punishable for his country or when we cease to think of ourselves as group people and remember we are but parts of a whole we may cease to be fighting animals not until then perhaps personally I think war is a good thing every now and then that is in the present state of our undevelopment so do I David guard's shoulders made energetic movement war brings out every evil passion of which man is possessed but it has its redemptive side it clears away beforeging soft trees delivers from deadening indulgences and indifference enables us to see ourselves our manner of life our methods and government our obligations and our injustices in perspective that reveals what could perhaps be grasped in no other way it brings about re-adjustments and re-accountings and puts into operation new forces of life new conceptions of duty it's a frightful way of making man get a firmer grip on certain essential realizations of taking in more definitely the high purpose of his destiny but at times there seems no other way I pray God we may keep out of this but if it means a stand for human rights we'll all enlist the faces of the men before me were sober and quick fear made my voice unsteady war may have its redemptive side it may at times be necessary for the preservation of honor and the maintenance of principle but that's because I imagine of our unpreparedness as human beings to be the right sort of human beings when we are there'll be no time to kill one another we'll need it all to help each other I hate war as few hate it perhaps but should it come to us I was ready to join my army as you to join yours I got up and took the hand David God was holding out to me I wish you didn't have to go must you must got an engagement at 9.15 I'll see you before the week is out about Clara Rudd good night he turned to Selwyn shook hands and was gone in the corner of the sofa I again sat down and Selwyn looked behind me took a chair and drew it close to me anxiety he made no effort to control was in his eyes well have you anything to tell me not as much as I hoped Mrs. Monty hasn't been able to find Etta Blake yet until Etta Blake Selwyn's tone was groping oh the little cashier girl I didn't expect you to tell anything of her I wish you'd put her out of your mind his face darkened I can't she seems to be no one else's but we won't talk of her tonight I saw the swings this afternoon I know you did Mrs. Swing telephoned Harry tonight did my appraisement approach correctness of Mrs. Swing yes she's impossible most fat fools are they are like feather beds you could tamp on them but you couldn't get rid of the fullness it would just be in another place she told me she was manicured on Mondays massaged on Tuesdays Marcell Wednesdays and Kyra podised on Thursdays and one couldn't expect much of a daughter with that sort of a mother still the girl interested me I feel sorry for her she mustn't marry Harry but who's going to tell her Selwyn's voice was squarelessly eager I thought perhaps you might find find I did I don't think it will be necessary to tell her anything she's very much in love but not with Harry Selwyn sat upright a certain rigidity of which he's capable stiffened him he looked much but said nothing I've had an interesting time this afternoon I never wanted to be a detective person but I can understand the fascination of the profession luck was with me and in less than 30 minutes after meeting her I was pretty sure Madeline Swing was not in love with Harry and was in love with someone else a few minutes later I found out who she was in love with found he was equally in love with her but they were once engaged and still want to get married our job is to help them do it Selwyn's seriousness is a heritage frowningly he looked at me this is hardly a thing to just about I may be very dense but I fail to understand for an hour we talked of Madeline Swing of Harry and Tom Cressy and in terms which even a man could understand I told how my discoveries had been made of how I had managed to see Tom and Madeline together and of my frank questioning of the former but what I did not tell him was that my thought was not of them alone by my side the little girl with the baby in her arms had seemed clinging to my skirt what sort of a girl is she in Selwyn's voice was relief and anxiety has she courage enough to take things in her own hands have no conscience so far as a mother is concerned she deserves no consideration but being an interested party I you needn't have anything to do with it I'm not sure what sort she is or how much courage she's got but worms have been known to turn if a hundred years before they were born somebody had begun to train her parents to be proper parents she might have been a better product still there seems to be something to her for Tom's sake I hope so he's a nice chap Selwyn's voice was unqualifiedly emphatic and his father is as honest a man as ever lived his mother I believe comes of pretty plain people I don't know where she comes from but she's made a success of her son which is what a good many well-born women fail to do people aren't responsible for their ancestors but they are for their descendants to a great extent and Mrs. Cressy seems to understand this more clearly than certain ancestrally dependent persons I've met I'd like to know her you're looking at me as if I didn't agree with you some day I hope there may be deeper understanding of and better training for the supreme profession of life but to get out of generalizations into a concrete case what can I do in the way of service to Mrs. Svink and Mr. Thomas Cressy being, as I said before, an interested party I hardly a knock on the door behind him made Selwyn start as if struck gave evidence of strain and nervousness of which he was unconscious and jumping up he went toward the door and opened it in the hall Bettina and Jimmy Gibbons were standing the latter was twisting his cap round and round in his hand his big brown eyes looking first at Bettina and then at me and then at Selwyn but to my come in he paid no attention getting up I went toward him put my hand on his shoulder what is it Jimmy why don't you come in my shoes ain't fit in I wiped them but the mud wouldn't come off his eyes looked down on his feet I could tell you out here if you wouldn't mind listening I told him I'd take the message or call you downstairs but he wouldn't let me do either one Bettina hands behind her nodded in my face his mother says her border is dying and she wants to tell you something before she dies and she told Jimmy he must see you himself Granny's gone to prayer meeting with Mrs. Krim and afterward to see about a sick person I'm awful sorry to interrupt you and if the lady hadn't been dying you're not interrupting I drew the boy inside Bettina came also from the fire to which I led him Jimmy drew back however and blew upon his stiff little fingers until it was safe to put them closer to the blazing coals looking down at his feet I saw a large and ragged hole on the side of his right shoe from which a tiny bit of blood was slowly oozing upon the rug what's the matter with your foot Jimmy have you cut it stuck something in it you must take your shoe off and see what's the matter I pointed to the floor I didn't know I had done it craning his neck to its fullest extending Jimmy peered down at the bleeding foot then looked up at me I'm awful sorry it got on the rug I'll wipe it up in a minute imperishable merriment struggled with a bashed rig red and holding out the offending foot he laughed wistfully it ain't got no feeling in it though it's coming I guess it's kind of froze their regular flip-flops, them shoes are under his breath I heard a smothered exclamation from Selvin he was standing in front of the boy hands in his pockets and staring at him he knew of course there were countless ill fed ill clothed unprotected children in every city of every land but personally he had come in contact with but few of them and the bit of flesh and blood before him stabbed with sharp realisation helplessly he turned to me the boy's half frozen where did he come from what does he want you to do Jimmy looked up at me mother told me to hurry the doctor's done gone and Mrs. Cotter says she's bound to see you before she dies she's got something to tell you she says please come quick hesitating I looked at the boy who had come closer to the fire did the doctor say she was dying I saw her yesterday and she seemed better Miss White was to see her today Miss White is there now Jimmy lifted his right foot and held it from the ground the warmth of the room was bringing pain to the benumbed member into which something had been stuck she told me to tell you please him to come if you could Mrs. Cotter says she can't die until she sees you and she's so tired trying to hold out she won't have breath left to talk mother says if you don't hurry perplexed uncertain I waited a half minute longer Mrs. Cotter the renter of Mrs. Gibbons middle room and some time border I had seen frequently of late nothing human could have stood what she had been forcing herself to do for some weeks past and that resistance should have yielded to relentless exaction was not to be wondered at ten hours a day she served in the carpet department of one of the city's big stores and for some time past she had been one of the office cleaning force at the Metropolitan building which at night made ready for the day's occupants the rooms which were swept and dusted and scrubbed and others slept or played or rested or made plans for coming times the extra work had been undertaken in order to get nourishment and medicine needed for her little girl who had developed tuberculosis there was nowhere for the child to go the insufficient sanatorium provided by the city for its diseased and germ disseminating poor was overcrowded to save her child she had fought valiantly but her life was the forefeet of her fight I wondered what she wanted to tell me I looked at selvin in my eyes questioning Mrs. Mundy was out I could not leave Bettina alone in the house what must I do do you think she's really dying people like that are often hysterical often nervously imaginative selvin's voice was worried you ought not to be sent for like this it isn't right she wouldn't have sent us late as this but the doctors say she won't last till daybreak jimmy twisted his cap into a round rough ball I'll get Mrs. Mundy for Bettina if you'll tell me where she is you can't get her she's out the prayer meeting by now and going to see somebody who sent for her I don't know who it is and I ain't by myself Miss Ali Jenks is sitting with me while granny's out Bettina's tones were energetic she turned to me you needn't stay back on my account Miss Danny aren't you going yes I'm going I walked toward my bedroom at its door I stopped I'm sorry selvin but I'll have to go the woman's dying selvin's teeth came together sharply and in his eyes were disapproval in protest for a half minute he did not speak then he phased me if you insist there's nothing to be said except that I'm going with you where's your telephone I'll get a cab oh no you must not go back to the door I leaned against it you've never seen things of this kind they are they are no pleasanter for you than for me his voice was decisive but his eyes were no longer on mine they were on Jimmy Gibbon's shoes with the big and ragged hole in one of them through which the bare skin of his foot showed red and raw he drew in his breath turned to me put on warm things it's pretty cold tonight end of chapter 20 chapter 21 of people like that this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org people like that by Kate Langley-Bosher chapter 21 Jimmy followed me to the taxi and as Selwyn snapped the door he huddled in an opposite corner as if a facement were an obligation required by the situation in which he found himself but he had never been in an automobile before and a sense of awe soon yielded to eager anxiety to miss no thrill of the unexpected experience his face was pressed against the glass pane of the door before we had gone two blocks in the hope that he might see someone who would see him in the glory of an adventure long hoped for and long delayed and Selwyn and I were forgotten in the joy of a dream come true there was time to tell Selwyn but little of the woman I was going to see Mrs. Gibbons's home was only a short distance from Scarborough Square and before I could do more than give the briefest explanation of Mrs. Cotter's condition of her long hours of work and lack of home life the cab had stopped and Jimmy springing out hopped on his unheard foot to the sagging gate of his little yard and opened it for us to pass through going up the broken steps I pushed open the partly closed door and went in a faint light from the kerosene lamp set on a bracket in the wall at the far end of the hall caused pure shadows to flicker on the floor and up the narrow staircase and for a half minute Selwyn and I waited until we could see where we should go from the middle room we could hear hoarse and laboured breathing and the stir of footsteps on the bare floor putting my hand on the door knob I was about to turn it when Mrs. Gibbons came out holding Mrs. Cotter's little girl by the hand I'm glad you've come she keeps calling for you her voice was the monotone of old and as unmoved as ever she nodded to me and then looked at Selwyn is he a doctor did he come to see her I explained Selwyn's presence and suggested that he wait for me while I went to Mrs. Cotter beckoning him to follow she went towards her kitchen bedroom but stopped to give warning of the two steps that led down to it and as she stopped I heard the low whimper of the frightened child by her side and saw her footsteps drag I want my mother I want to go back to my mother I don't want to go away from my mother was it well to let her go back only a few minutes were left for them to be together was it kind of cruel to keep them apart uncertain I looked at the group before me and saw Selwyn stoop and take the child a little girl of five up in his arms your mother is going to sleep his voice was low and we are going to be quiet and not wake her Jimmy will play with you and I will you tell me a story sleepily the child leaned against his shoulder one arm thrown over it will you tell me a pretty story about as they disappeared through the door opening into Mrs. Jubbins' quarters I went into Mrs. Cotter's room but for a moment drew back I had learned not to shrink at much that once I would have run from but the gaunt body and castley face of the woman propped against pillows on the bed frightened me and my feet refused to move all the hardships and denials the injustices and inequalities of working womanhood unfit to fight and unprepared for struggle were staring at me and on the open lips was something of the mocking smile that had been on Lily Pierce's face when she was first brought in to Mrs. Monday heavily and with great labour breath came gaspingly and the blank stare in the eyes made me think at first I was too late slowly I went toward the bed and at its side I took a twitching hand in mine and I did so the staring eyes turned to me too nearly gone for odd save faint returning light struggled back in its supreme and final effort and with life's last spark of energy she clutched my fingers with her work worn weary hands Ms. White, the district nurse who was standing at the foot of the bed nodded to me and from a far corner the sobbing of a man and woman in shabby clothes and crouched clothes together reached across the room other worlds were, for the moment, far away and only the world before me seemed real and true and unescapable drawing a low chair close to the bed I sat down and leaned toward the woman there was little time to lose what is it Mrs. Cotter, look at me this is dandridge heath you have something you want to say to me tell me what it is her head made backward twisting movement as if for breath then her eyes held mine them was the cry eternal of all motherhood my little girl my little girl if only I could take her with me who's going to tell her how not to go wrong she won't be safe on earth promise me promise me promise you what I leaned to further over the bed the fire of a tortured soul was burning in the ice before me and out of them had gone dull, glazed and costly stare into them had come appeal both piteous and passionate and fear that defied death what must I promise my eyes held hers lest words should wander tell me what I must do don't let them put her in an orphan home the ones who manage it don't know themselves how life treats girls they mean kind but they don't teach them what might happen little Eta little Eta Blake lived in an orphan home and now now the hands and mind were dropped amazement for the moment making me forget all else I leaned yet closer where is she where is Eta Blake where can I find her as if groping the eyes looking into mind made effort to understand then turned away you can't find her now it's too late she was let go to work and she didn't know she come from a little town to a big one and nobody told her what might happen my little Nora who's going to tell her with violent effort the figure on the bed attempted to sit up and the twitching hands were flung one on either side then again they clutched mine why don't God let me take her with me promise me you won't forget my little Nora won't let them put her in an orphan home promise me you will watch gaspingly she lay back on the pillows but her eyes held mine promise I promise I will not forget before God and a dying woman I was pledging protection for a homeless child my voice broke and then steadied I promise and I will watch as of that which held had snapped the tossing head lay quiet and out of the face fear faded and into it as softly as widened dawn at break of day came peace the sobbing in the corner of the room had ceased and through the thin walls I could hear Selvon's low tones as he told stumblingly to the child a story that was keeping her quiet and I knew he too was on new thresholds he too was entering unknown worlds tell her flames spent the eyes again opened and this time looked at Mrs. White tell her why I don't want they mean to be good but people like that don't know how people like us Martha White thrust her handkerchief up her sleeve cleared her throat and straightened her widened rustling apron she's been trying to tell me all day that she didn't want Nora to be put in an orphan asylum and yet there's nobody to take her all her people are too poor to add another child to the families she came closer and lowered her voice it might reach no one but me and with her shoulders made movement toward the bed with her hands to the man and woman so close together in tearless silence in the corner do you know how people like that are they judge everything by the few cases that come within their knowledge and most of us do what does she know about asylums that prejudices her so little except she's come across some girls who came out of them who have gone wrong and she thinks it's because they were kept too shut off from outside life and told too little of temptations and real truths and things like that what she means is that she thinks those who manage asylums and homes try to keep the girls innocent through ignorance and when they are turned out to go to work they don't understand the dangers that are ahead some grown-ups forget that young people crave young ways and pretty things in good times and that they've got to be taught about what they don't understand little Etta, Etta Blake was an orphan she was like a bird in a cage when she got out if only they had told her the voice from the bed was strangely stronger and the fingers still twisted into mine made feeble pressure I leaned closer Where is she? Where is Etta Blake? Where can I find her? You can't find her It's too late we worked at the same place once and I tried to make but she said it was too late the gasping voice trailed virally and the face turning from me lay still upon the pillow presently I saw Ms. White start and come closer the short quick breath had stopped at Mrs. Mundy's front door Selvin holding the sleeping child in his arms looked at me what are you going to do with her his voice was uncertain and in it there was not the disapproval I had expected from the telling of my promise to Mrs. Scotter you can't keep her can you I shook my head she mustn't stay in town the doctor says her case is too advanced to be arrested and the only thing that can be done is to make her as comfortable and happy as possible until she can go to her mother I don't know what is best to be done I must be near enough to see her every now and then Mr. Guard will tell me what to do whenever I don't know I ask him he always helps me or you never to ask me to help you Selvin's voice was low but from his eyes was no escape and as the light from the door which I had opened with my latch key fell upon his face I saw it flush saw in it what I had never seen before Hugh I was very tired and something long held back struggled for utterance Hugh the word was half a sob if only you Mrs. Mundy was coming down the hall and at the door her hands went out to take the child from Selvin Bettina told me and I thought perhaps you'd bring the little creature here I've got a place all fixed you're tired out she turned to me and then to Selvin thank you sir for taking care of her for going with her and bringing her back I'm sorry I wasn't here to do it myself she's needing of someone to look after her turning she went down the hall with the child in her arms and Selvin also turning walked down the steps and got into the cab end of chapter 21 chapter 22 of people like that this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org people like that by Kate Langley-Bosher chapter 22 the one day in the year I heartily hate is the first day of January yesterday was January 1st its usual effect is to make me feel as the great in my sitting room looks when the fire is dead knowing the day would get ahead of me if I did not get ahead of it I decided to give a party last night I gave it all through the busy rush of Christmas with its compelling demands I have been trying not to think trying to put from me memories that come and go of Mrs. Cotter of my disappointed not hearing from her variate blake could be found and my anxiety about little Nora now in the care of a woman I know well who lives just out of town the child will not be here next Christmas Kitty is paying for all her needs she asked that I would let her the day before I received Selvin's note concerning Nora and Mr. first Mr. Crimm cannot find it a blake she must have gone away in the past few weeks I have seen little of Selvin I have been a bit more than busy with Christmas preparations and its modification over Harry's behaviour since the latter's return from El Paso has kept him away even from me Madeline Swink I have seen several times also Tom Cressy but Mrs. Swink I have been spared owing to absence from home when she returned my call Madeline that she must not meet Tom here again until she breaks her engagement with Harry and tells her mother she will not marry him I cannot help her marry Tom unless she is open and square with her mother she thinks I am hard but I will agree to nothing else it isn't easy to be patient with halting, hesitating, helpless people and Madeline having long been dominated is a rather spiritless person still she is the sort one always feels sorry for I wish I wasn't mixed up in her affairs however they aren't my business and fingers put in other people's spice are likely to get pinched then too my fingers have many other things to do last night's party was a great success during most of the day I was telephoning messages sending notes of invitations and helping Mrs. Mundy with the preparation of certain substantial refreshments which must be abundant and when at last I stood ready to receive my guests all I had long thought dead became alive again at other parties I knew what to expect at this one I didn't Lucy Hobbs, resplendent in a green silk lace-trimmed dress was dashingly handsome with her carefully curled hair and naturally coloured cheeks and her big black eyes missed no detail of my holly bedecked and brightly lighted rooms it was difficult to associate her with the girl in shabby clothes who hurried through the streets in the dark things and whose days were spent in a factory year in and year out and yet the factory had left its imprint in a shyness that was new to one whose usual role was set of boss and at first she was ill at ease you must help me Lucy I spoke hurriedly and in an undertone some of these people think they are at a funeral mix them up and introduce them again if they don't talk to each other take Mr. Banister over to Grace he heard he's afraid to cross the room to get to her and she hasn't purged since she came in and get Mr. Skryosky from Mrs. Gibbons she's telling him about the baby's whooping cough and enjoying the telling but he isn't go to him first as I spoke to Lucy David Gard came in the room he wore his usual clothes but his cravat was fixed with apparent firmness and no longer crawled half way up his collar and his hair had been carefully brushed as we shook hands I laughed I'm frightened did you ever do a thing in a hurry and then wonder what you did it for most of these people have such a stupid time at home so seldom go out at night that I thought I had to have a party for them but they seem to think they are at a show waiting for the curtain to go up what am I going to do give them time they can't unlimber all at once Mrs. Krim over there thinks it would be improper for her to smile as she's just lost her brother but Mr. Krim is a performance in himself what's he in uniform for he goes on duty at 12 and he doesn't want to lose time going home to change look at Archer Barbie I believe he's in love with Lully Hill he is I hope they are going to be married soon why didn't you let these people dance I had not thought of dancing my guests were oddly assorted of varying ages and conditions and I had gathered them in for an evening away from their usual routine rather than with the view of getting a congenial group together and the realization of social blundering was upon me dancing might do what I could not to dance in my sitting room would be difficult the few things in the room are joining it could be easily pushed against the wall however and quickly Fanny Harris and Mr. Gard began to make it ready and while they made ready Mr. Krim was invited to sing Mr. Krim is my good friend I had never known a policeman before I came to Scarborough Square and I shall always be glad I know him he is a remarkable man he has been Mrs. Krim's husband for 30 years and has his first drink to take as I played the opening notes of Mollie my darling there's no one like you Mr. Krim took his place by the piano straight and important shoulders back and a fat right hand laid over a fat left one both of which rested just above the belt around his well-developed waist he surveyed the silent company with blinking twinkling eyes Mrs. Krim struggling between righteous pride and the possession of so handsome a piece of property as a blue uniformed and brass-buttoned husband and the necessity of subduing all emotions save that of respect due to the recent death of her brother sat a pride in her chair hands clasped in her lap and eyes fastened on the floor not until the song was over did she lift them Mollie my darling there's no one like you is a piece of music permitting the making of strange sounds and when Mr. Krim sings it the sounds are stranger at the third verse he asked all present to join in the chorus and the effect was transforming Bettina standing in front of him eyes uplifted as if entranced and hands clasped tightly behind her back was ready at the first word to join in and shrilly her young voice piped in accompaniment to the deep notes of her official friend with a nod of his head and a time-beating movement of both hands and in five minutes everyone in the room was around him save his wife who kept her seat her lips tight and her eyes on the floor as the garment thrown off the stiffness disappeared and feet tapped and heads moved to the rhythmic swing of first one song and then another and finally Mr. Krim wiped his perspiring face and called for silence it's Archie's time now step up Archie and tell the ladies and gentlemen how Mary wrote the goat shying is out of fashion, step lively Archie this ladies and gentlemen Mr. Krim waved one hand and with the other grasped firmly the collar of his young friend's coat and drew him forward it's Mr. Archie or Barbie who will now entertain you begin Archie, make your bow and begin for a moment Archie stood in solemn silence hands crossed on his breast and thumbs revolving rapidly his lips made odd movements and vacantly he stared ahead of him in his eyes no expression in his manner no hint of what was coming short and fat with face round and red hair red and curly and ears of prodigious size he made a queer picture and ignorant of his power of mimicry and impersonation I kept my seat on the piano stool that is for a while I kept it when safety lay no longer on it I took refuge on the sofa first smile said followed his beginning words then chowds of laughter then shrieks of it and little gasping screams and bending of bodies and convulsive doubling up and when finally he stopped you were spent and breathless and for a while I could not see when again my eyes were clear Fanny Harris was standing by me if you think you can stand up the room is ready for dancing she pointed ahead of her she'll split her best black silk if she doesn't stop we were getting shorter and shorter and wiping her eyes she joined us and nodded at Mr. Gard I haven't laughed as much since the first time I went to the circus and if there's anything better for the insights than laughing I have never took it seems to me it clears out low downness and sour spirits better than any tonic you can buy and for plum war outness a good laugh's more resting than sleep when you're ready to have the hot things brought up let me know Miss Dandridge, Martha's downstairs ready and just waiting for the word it was hardly time for refreshments and at Mr. Gard's announcement that all who cared to dance could go into the next room a movement was made toward the latter and then all stopped and waited for Archie Barbie who, with a low bow was asking Mrs. Crimm for the favour of a foxtrot rigidly Mrs. Crimm stiffened indignantly she waved Archie away I'm a church member I never danced in my life it's unfeeling of you to be asking of me when my poor brother's only been in his grave eight days she took out a black bordered handkerchief from a bag hanging at her side and opened it carefully it's unfeeling of you with him only dead one day over a week hands in his coat pockets Archie bowed low I ask you pardon ma'am I hadn't heard about your brother leaving you and I didn't guess it seeing you sitting here as handsome as a hollyhock I think of it I see your dress is elegant black and extra becoming I beg you'll be excusing of me Mrs. Mundy ma'am I hope you'll honour me the room had grown quiet each waiting for the other to move and hearing a step in the hall I looked toward the door which was partly open then went forward thinking a belated guest might be coming in the door opened wider and Selwyn stood on its threshold for a half minute I stared at him and he at me in his face was amazement as I held out my hand he recovered himself and came inside I beg you pardon I'm afraid I'm intruding I did not know you were having a party I am I was angry with myself for the flush in my face you are in time to share in some of it Mr. Gard I turn to the latter who happened to be near the door will you introduce Mr. Thorn to some of my friends while I see Martha I will be back in a moment I had changed my mind and decided to have supper before we danced Selwyn bit his lip and his eyes narrowed then over his face swept change and shaking hands with David Gard he went forward and spoke to Mrs. Mundy and Bettina shook hands with Mr. Crimm and met in turn each of my guests why had he come to night of all nights I asked myself he evidently intended to stay and perhaps my party might be ruined but it was not ruined with an ability I did not know he possessed Selwyn gave himself to the further ends of the evening's pleasure talking to first one and then the other and later with the ease of long usage he waited on Mrs. Gibbons and Mrs. Crimm serving them punctiliciously with all that was included in the evening's refreshments when there was nothing more that he could do I saw him sitting between grace he heard the little shirt waist girl and Marion spade a waitress at one of the uptown restaurants eating his supper as they ate theirs and they were finding him apparently somewhat more than entertaining from my corner where I poured tea I watched the pictures made by the different groupings and tried not to think of Selwyn he was behaving well but he didn't approve of what I was doing he rarely approves of what I do do let Mrs. Mundy bring you some hot oysters I leaned over and spoke to Betty Flynn upon whom Mrs. Mundy and I were keeping watch lest she show signs of her old trouble and can't I give you a cup of coffee I held out my hand for her empty cup Betty shook her head regarding the coffee but handing her plate to Mrs. Mundy you certainly can give me some more oysters I have been an inmate for 9 years and inmates don't often get a chance at oysters at the city whom your chief nourishment is thankfulness you are expected to get fat from thankfulness it ain't thankful which is what keeps me thin maybe she turned to me my dress looks real nice don't it seeing weird such different shapes it's strange how good your clothes fit me I hope the rats won't eat this dress I'm going to keep it to be buried in good gracious I didn't know you was going to have ice cream and cake I wouldn't have eaten all the moisture if I had known when supper was over Dick Bannister whose Gracie Hurds bow asked me with awkward bowing and beginning with him I danced with every man in the room who made pretence of knowing how except Selwyn he did not ask me bravely however he did his part he overlooked no one and David Gard watching blinked his eyes a bit and smiled Selwyn would make a magnificent martyr a situation forced upon him is always met head up Mr. Krim who like his wife did not dance though for different reasons Mr. Krim 12 took out his watch and looking at it got up with a start come on old lady we've got to go taking his wife by the arm he held out his hand to me it's been great Miss Heed I'd never had such a good time in my life good night friends he bowed beamingly then made a special bow in Selwyn's direction I'm glad to know you sir I used to know your father I've heard many a case tried in his court he never lived good night sir, good night Miss Heed when all goodbyes were over and all were gone Selwyn standing with his back to the fire looked at me but for a moment said nothing as completely as if he had stepped from one body into another he seemed a different person from the man who had been most charming to my guests a few minutes before when he had told them good night as if he were indeed their host looking at him I saw his face was haggard and that he was nervously anxious and uneasy it is late I know I shouldn't stay his voice was as troubled as his eyes I'm sorry to keep Mrs. Mundy up but I must talk to you tonight again I must ask you what to do end of chapter 22 chapter 23 of people like that this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org people like that by Kate Langley Bosher chapter 23 it's pretty beastly in me to put this on you Selwyn who had taken a seat in a chair opposite mine first leaned back then forward and hands clasped between his knees looked down upon the floor I've kept away from you with what I have no right if you did not talk to me frankly I would be much more troubled I drew the scarf about my shoulders a little closer I knew what was coming the thought of it chilled is it about Harry you're again worried Selwyn nodded you knew he had left home knew he had taken a bachelor apartment downtown I heard it day before yesterday Kitty told me that Billy is pretty upset about him being five years older and married Billy is seeing life rather differently from the way Harry takes it and the latter is recklessness Selwyn looked at me then away the boy is beyond comprehension I haven't seen him but once in nearly two weeks five days before Christmas he had his drunk and certain things sent downtown and wrote me a note telling of the apartment he had taken I've been to see him several times I'm told hasn't been in now for over a week I've written him made every inquiry likely to lead to information without exciting on due suspicion and now unless I go to the police biting the ends of his close-cut moustache Selwyn stopped abruptly does Mrs. Wink know he has left home if she doesn't she'll know it tomorrow when she gets my answer to this taking a letter from his pocket Selwyn threw it on the table behind me later you can read that if you have time to waste I got it today Harry hasn't been to see Madeline for over a week Mrs. Wink wanted to know why wanted to know where he is so do I didn't he dine with Mildred on Christmas Day I thought both of you were always there at Christmas we are when Mildred's Christmas dinner is over I thank God that will be 365 days before she can have another one Harry was alright when he came in but he took too much eggnog too much of other things Mildred had no business having I tried to make him go home with me but he wouldn't do it then I tried to go with him and he wouldn't let me do that either said he had an engagement with Mrs. Wink he was not in a condition to fill it but thinking if she saw him as a Swink might take in what she so far has failed to understand I was rather glad he was going to keep his engagement he didn't keep it what did he do where did he go Selvon's face darkened I don't know nobody knows he hasn't been in his apartment since Christmas Day his trunk and clothes are in his rooms also his suitcases and bags and there is no evidence of his having gone off on a trip I haven't told Mildred she'd go into hysterics and tell the town Harry had disappeared Mrs. Swink however had to be told something Madeline I imagine has given notice and her mother is sitting up Selvon's hands made gesture of disgust her letter is inquisitorial and hysterical my answer will give a bump I imagine you've clouded visions and waked her from sweet dreaming she's been seeing herself in the thornhouse as a mother of her mistress I don't mean to laugh indeed I don't but I did laugh Mrs. Swink and Selvon dwelling under the same roof was a picture beyond the resistance of laughter incompatibility and incongruity would be feeble terms with which to designate such a situation and at its suggestion seriousness was impossible that is to me in Selvon's face was no smiling if there have been any little dreams I'm glad she wrote me in reply I had a chance to say what there has been no chance to say before where their imagining said Harry was to bring his wife to his old home they will cease when she gets my note no house is big enough for a bride and groom and members of either family certainly mine isn't I limited comment on Harry to his financial condition expressed regret at my inability to explain his failure to keep his engagement and gave her no hint of my uneasiness only to you have I given it something is wrong I'm afraid the boy is ill somewhere the thing has gotten on my nerves I've got to do something I can't go on this way with eyes in which nervous uneasiness was unrestrained Selvon looked at me asking unconsciously for help I could not give and for a moment I said nothing possibilities of which I could not speak were clutching at my heart and making me cold with fear and horror for suddenly something I had overheard a girl telling Mrs. Monday a few days before as I passed through the hall came to me with cruel and compelling clearness he's a gentleman all right drunk or sober you can tell that she ain't left him day or night since he was taken sick and except the doctor she won't let anyone leave the room the words of the girl talking to Mrs. Monday repeated themselves with such distinctness that it seemed Selvon could hear the thick beating of my heart and understand its wonder as to who the man was who was ill who the girl who was nursing him did Mrs. Monday know lest he notice that I too was nervous I got up and went over to a table in an opposite corner of the room and drank a glass of water coming back I took my seat but Selvon remained standing and taking out his watch again looked at it I must go had I known you were to have a party he smiled faintly I should not have come you're too tired to stay up longer forget what I've told you and go to sleep if tomorrow you can suggest anything I'm pretty ragged and don't seem able to think clearly you're keener than I in grasping situations and quicker in making decisions whatever you think might be done again his teeth came down upon his lips and looking up I saw his face was white give me a day or two in which to see what can be done and you won't mind if I ask Mr. Crimm's advice I seemed pushing the girl I had heard talking to Mrs. Monday behind me he hasn't been able to find out a blanket do you suppose her disappearance could have any connection with Harry's it may be he really loves her Selvon turned away love is hardly a term to be used in connection with an acquaintance ship such as theirs a girl with a past possibly how about his past I think you understand pretty well my opinion of his past but as long as theories healed to accepted custom a man's past will be forgotten a woman's remembered Harry if married would be received anywhere provided he married a woman of his world this little girl would have to pay her price and his wife for no one would receive her that's hardly the question before us however to find where Harry is find if anything is wrong if he's ill the sharp sudden ringing of the telephone on the table behind me made me start and jumping up like a frightened child I stood close to Selvon who on earth it's half past twelve who can want me at this time of night I started to take the receiver from its hook but laughing at me Selvon got it first one would think his book was going to spring at him central's given the wrong number I guess hello who's that watching with as strained eagerness as if I were hearing I saw Selvon lean forward after admitting that the number wanted was the right one and heard him ask again who is it who did you say for the next five minutes there was not she excited an incoherent conversation over the telephone during which Selvon and I alternated in the talking in an effort to learn what Tom Cressy was saying at the other end of the line and what it was he wanted me to do Tom's voice was not distinct and caution was making it difficult to understand what we finally got from him which was that he wanted to bring Madeline down to spend the night with me that they had started to go away to be married and miss the train by one minute owing to an accident to the automobile they were in the next train did not leave until four a.m. could Madeline stay with me until no she can't hand over the telephone transmission Selvon turned to me they've got no business mixing you up in this you'll be blamed for the whole thing I'm going to tell him to take her back to the Melbourne they can make another try some other time Tom must be crazy most people in love are you've never been desperate I laughed and took the receiver from him Madeline's courage will be gone after tonight and Tom's afraid to risk waiting get up and let me talk over the telephone I could hear Madeline crying and I told Tom to bring her down her too many worth of nerve and dash had given out and she was frightened incoherently I was told by Tom that Madeline was being persecuted and he couldn't stand for it any longer and the only thing for them to do was to get married hadn't it been for a darned tire come on down I heard a little cry and hurry it's pretty late Mrs. Monty who had been told of their coming opened the door for them in dressing gown and slippers and piloted them upstairs and into my sitting room where Madeline at sight of Selwyn burst into tears and buried her face on my shoulder but the ten minutes were not entirely lost which passed before we understood why the venture had been decided upon at this particular time and how hard luck had prevented its fulfillment tears are effective Selwyn weakened as rapidly as I could have wished I haven't seen Harry for two weeks ever since I've been here he's been writing me he was sick Madeline's words came stumblingly and the corners of her handkerchief were pulled with nervous movements in between the wiping of her pretty brown eyes the day after Christmas I wrote him breaking our engagement I've never heard from him since I don't even know that he got my letter questioning they she looked at Selwyn and her face already colored crimson yet more deeply neither do I Selwyn's voice was gentle indignation at his and my involvement in what was not an affair of ours seemed to have vanished I redirected a number of letters to his new address but his new address Madeline looked puzzled I didn't know he had a new address he is not living at home just now the flush in Selwyn's face deep in her eyes the flush in Selwyn's face deepened also I have not seen him since Christmas day but go on I did not mean to interrupt you three days ago Madeline told her mother she had broken with Harry and was going to marry me Tom was no longer to be repressed she's had the devil of a time ever since and yesterday I told her she shouldn't stand it any longer and neither would I Harry has hypnotized her mother she thinks I'm unkind but they can harden cruel to give him up because he's not well it isn't that you know it isn't that Madeline's fingers twisted in an appeal and again her eyes were on Selwyn you think it's dreadful in me not to marry your brother no I don't I think it would be much more dreadful in you if you did marry him Selwyn's hands made gesture however we leave that out you say you told your mother you intended to marry Tom handkerchief to her lips she nodded I told her and Tom wrote her asking her consent she wouldn't give it and said I was ungrateful and had no ambition and that if she had a stroke I'd be the cause she's never had a stroke and it's very healthy but bursting into fresh tears Madeline this time hid her face in her hands and Tom wanting much to comfort miserably ignorant of how to do it and consciously awkward and restrained in the presence of witnesses stood by her side his hand on her shoulder and at sight of him I reached swift decision I'm glad you told her you've been open and square and asked her consent one can't wait indefinitely for consent to do things I got up and took Madeline by the hand come in my room and take off your hat and coat when we come back we'll talk about what is best to do five minutes later we were back and ice bathed and face powdered Madeline gave evidence of fresh injections of courage and quickly we began to plan the four a.m. train was the best to take but for half an hour we talked of whether Shelby or Clarkson was the better town to go to for the marriage ceremony which at either place could be performed without the consent of parent or guardian and irrespective of the age of the applicants for the same though preferring Shelby Tom agreed to Clarkson on my insisting on the latter place which was the mecca for runaway couples from our section of the state going with them going with them the inflection in Selvon's voice was hardly polite you don't intend yes I do they've made a mess of the first try and they'll be caught and dragged back if somebody isn't there to keep them from being held up I'm going with them how do you expect to hold off the holding up Selvon was staring at me and anxiety concerning Harry was for the time in abeyance he needed something to distract him what are you going to do he asked I don't know don't have to know until tomorrow I mean later today I motioned toward the hall and following me into it he partly closed the door behind us we let those children have a chance to say good night and then please go home and don't look at me like that I don't approve of runaway marriages any more than you do I'd never been a party to one because I wouldn't marry an angel man before I was 21 afterward running away wouldn't be necessary Tom and Madeline are not entirely to blame the blame for this will be put on you Mrs. Wink will credit you for the instigation and carrying out of the whole affair you mustn't go with them Danny it isn't necessary maybe it isn't but I'm going I can't let a girl of Madeline's age leave the house alone at half past three in the morning and certainly I cannot let Tom come here for her we will get to Klaxon at ten o'clock and by that time Mrs. Wink will have finished her she will be carrying the wires they will certainly be held up at Klaxon then why go there why not go on to Shelby I shook my head Klaxon is a better place I don't know how it's going to be managed but if one couldn't outmaneuver Madeline Wink it doesn't matter about my being blamed for helping them long usage has accustomed me to large chairs of blame I held out my hand I'll be back tomorrow night come Thursday there are a few things you will let me share with you but the blame that will come from this I am going to share whether you let me or not I've gotten you into it and we'll see it through together if you are going with them I'm going also good night he dropped the hand he was holding and turned away tell Tom I'm waiting will you end of Chapter 23 Chapter 24 of People Like That this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org People Like That by Kate Langley-Bosher Chapter 24 Telling Madeline not to unpack her bags I gave her one of my kimonos and ordered her to lie down while I slipped downstairs for a few words with Mrs. Mundy there was time for only a hurried talk but during it I told her what I wanted her to do what she must get Mr. Crimm to do and also if inquiry was made for me during the coming day she was to say I was out and she did not know just when I would be in as Mrs. Svink was unaware that her daughter had made frequent visits to Scarborough Square at the same time Mr. Thomas Cressy happened to be there she was hardly apt to associate me with their departure from the city still with less justice I have been held responsible for things with which I had nothing to do and that Mrs. Mundy be prepared for possible questions I gave her a few instructions concerning them she recalled clearly the conversation of which I had heard a few words but the girl talking to her had not mentioned the name of the girl of whom she talked or of that of the man who was being nursed by her she spoke of her as a friend who was a fool to care for a man as she cared Mrs. Mundy put her hand to her mouth to cover a yawn she said I got up find the girl who came to see you and if the friend of whom she is speaking is Etablick get her address and go to see her if you can if not send Mr. Crimm tell the latter he must find Harry he may be somewhere under an assumed name so may Etablick do you suppose it is possible they can be together somewhere anything is possible Mrs. Mundy blinked her eyes bravely to prevent my seeing the overpowering sleep in them and quickly I went to the door it's a shame you have to go to the train with us you can come right back however and sleep as late as you want the cab will be here at 3.30 take a nap until then and don't look so worried I'm not committing a crime I'm helping to keep someone else from committing one good night I kissed the dear soul and leaving her her read upstairs Madeline was lying down when I came back in the room and wanting much to talk she began to do so but unfeelingly I made her stop getting out of the oldest and shabbiest dress I possessed with a hat to correspond I took off my party dress and slipped into a warm and worn draper after putting a few things in a bag without further and dressing I stretched out on the couch near the foot of the bed and at the dark called to Madeline you won't be a beautiful bride if you don't get some sleep shut your eyes mine were shut I wasn't going to be married I was only a very tired maiden lady about to do something she had no business doing and shamelessly I went to sleep and left Madeline awake seemingly I had slept but a few moments when opening my eyes I saw Madeline standing fully dressed by the side of my couch and looking down at me it's ten minutes past three she said I hate to wake you but springing up I threw off my wrapper and reached down for my shoes if you had waked me before you put on your dress you wouldn't have to take it off I'm going to wear that dress I pointed to the one on the chair behind her I'm sorry your wedding garments can't be more festive and that I'll have to wear your good clothes but we mustn't run risks merely for pride take your dress off quickly and give it to me don't look at me but hurry Madeline's mind does not work as quickly as some people's and a little time was lost in explaining that any description to which she would answer would have to apply to me not her in consequence the cab was at the door for she was fully garmented in my plainest clothes and I arrayed in her beautiful ones and regretfully she looked at me I'm taller and slenderer than Madeline but fashion was in my favour and the absence of fit and shortness of skirt gave emphasis of adherence to its requirements I looked the part she didn't at the station Tom and Selvin were waiting and their puzzled incomprehension was even greater than Madeline's had been explanations included a few suggestions as to the wisdom of our separating and the men agreeing Selvin and I went in the Pullman and poor little rich Madeline and Tom to a day coach were crying babies and peanut hulls and closed air and torn papers would have made them richedly unhappy had they not been happily unconscious of them I was sorry for them but marriage involves much as the train pulled out I waved from the window to Mrs. Mundy who on the platform waved back with one hand and with the other wiped her eyes Mrs. Me but she too does not always approve of me travel evidently was light the sleeper in which we found ourselves had barely two-thirds of the birds made up and the rest of the seats being empty we took ours in a corner where in an undertone we could talk and not disturb others taking off Madeline's handsome fur coat and newest hat I put the latter in its paper bag and gave the former to Selvin to hang on a hook gloves and other things being disposed of I again sat down and suggested that he also make himself comfortable and at the same time change his expression later you can smoke but at present you will have to be in here where I am compelled to look at you the photographic injunction to look pleasant oughtn't to apply only to the taking of pictures for the love of heaven sit down Selvin and behave yourself Selvin hung up his hat and coat and took the seat opposite mine from him came radiation of endurance and objecting to being endured I spoke impatiently I did not care to be travelling at four o'clock in the morning any more than he did but much in life has to be done that isn't preferable he had invited himself to take the trip his desire to share any criticism coming to me for my part in it was sincere but rather than shielding it might subject me to an increased amount for the first time such a possibility came to me and looking up I saw his eyes were gravely watching me I thought I was behaving I'm willing to play the part properly if I know the part but I don't know it your intimations have been indefinite there's been no time for any other sort when Mrs. Swink learns that Madeline and Tom have run away she will begin to ask where and somebody will certainly suggest Klaxon then why go to Klaxon they're not going to Klaxon we are going there just this side is a little station at which they can take a local for Shellby they will change at this station and go to Shellby we keep on to Klaxon and get off there but last night you insisted on there going to Klaxon Selvins voice implied that a woman's methods of management were beyond a man's understanding inquiries will be made as to who bought tickets for Klaxon Mrs. Swink will have the whole police department running around for clues and things I told you not to buy tickets did you I did not I'm taking orders and doing what I'm told but being new at it I don't work as smoothly as I might is there any special reason why I shouldn't have bought tickets there is I opened my pocket book and taking out a note handed it to him I'll take breakfast with you but I'll have to pay my railroad fare I didn't want you to get tickets because if two couples bought them it would cause confusion and telegrams might be sent to Shellby also I didn't have time to think it all out last night I only knew Tom and Madeline must seemingly go to Klaxon and yet not go I wasn't sure what could be done but after you decided to come I thought we could play the part and give them time to be married at Shellby you mean you and I are to pretend we are somebody else mean Selvon's voice was protestingly puzzled impersonation did not appeal there'll be no necessity to pretend if a sheriff with orders to do so takes charge of us he will hardly believe our assertion that we are not the parties wanted he's used to that all we will have to do is to wait until Tom and Madeline come back when they show as proper a marriage certificate as a dairy maid and farmer laddie ever framed he will let us go you don't look as if playing groom to my bride pleases you I'm sorry but interstellarans eyes came that which made me turn mine away and look out of the window on thinkingly I'd invited what he was going to say playing groom does not interest me why play and stop looking out of the window he changed his seat and took the one beside me look at me Danny why can't we be married at Clarkson we'll wait for those children to come back and then is that exactly fair I drew away the hands he was hurting in his tense grip I hardly thought you'd take I shut my eyes to keep back quick tears for which there was no accounting something curiously was suddenly possessing me something that for weeks I had seemed fighting and resisting an over mastering desire to give in to surrender to yield to his love for me the mind for him was disarming me and swift inexplicable impulse to marry him and give up the thing I was trying to do bridged and swept over me and then I remembered his house with its high walls and I remembered Scarborough Square until there was between them sympathy and understanding there could be no abiding basis on which love could build and find enrichment and fulfillment straightening I sat up but I was conscious of being very tired please don't Selvon when I had drawn away I held out to him we must not think or talk of ourselves today this is not our day but I want my day his strong finger is twisted into mine with bruising force I have waited long for it for all others you have consideration but my happiness alone you ignore you seem to think my endurance is beyond limit how long are you going to keep this thing up some day you're going to marry me why not today I shook my head not marry you today take care the conductor was coming down the aisle toward us end of chapter 24