d nip little
pieces of flesh from the neck, and pad them on the hollows beneath the
cheek-bones. Suddenly I began to laugh. I imagined myself doing it--
saw the expression in the blue, startled eyes.

Strange how plain faces can fascinate more than beautiful ones! My
laughter died away. It is difficult to keep on laughing by oneself. I
was tired, and had been giving out sympathy all day; depression clutched
me, and a restless irritability. At this auspicious moment the orphan
knocked at the door and announced that Number 19 would be glad to speak
a few words.

"Show her in!" I said, and in she came--a pretty, thin, little woman,
with a tempery eye.

"I am sorry to intrude, but you must really understand that this is too
much! When people live in flats, it is essential that they show some
consideration for their neighbours. Will you kindly listen to that?"

I listened. Winifred and Marion were playing at "bears," and chasing
Bridget to her death. Engrossed in my own thoughts, I had paid no
attention, beyond a subconscious satisfaction that they were enjoying
themselves. The roars did not annoy me, but they were certainly fairly
loud. I tendered a civil explanation.

"It's Mr Thorold's little girls. Their brother has been dangerously
ill. They are staying with me."

"Is there any necessity for them to shriek at the pitch of their
voices?"

"They are out for hours every day. This is their play-time before they
go to bed. They go at seven."

"And wake at six! For the last fortnight we have been disturbed every
morning. My husband wishes me to say that if it goes on he will
complain to the landlord. I have complained before, as you know, but
without effect. Ever since you came we have been annoyed."

I was furious. Whatever had happened during the last fortnight, no one
could have been quieter before. "And what about themselves?" I said
coldly. "Do you imagine that the landlord will be able to make children
sleep beyond their usual hour?"

"Certainly not, but they can be kept quiet. When people go to bed
late"--she stopped short, arrested by my expression, stared for a
moment, and then concluded--"they naturally object to being disturbed in
the morning. We breakfast at nine. This morning we were kept awake by
quarrelling voices for over an hour."

I bowed politely.

"I am sorry. It is most disagreeable. I have had the same experience
myself, but at the beginning of the night."