calculated to bring the whole
neighbourhood into disrepute, and depreciate the value of house
property, the agents would probably be glad to hear of it."

"Well, you're missing your train. You run off, and don't write any
letters until to-night. Then you can talk about it, if you like."

In the evening, at supper, Eliza said she had been down Bloodstone
Terrace, and could not see what I was making all the fuss about.

"It is simply this," I said. "St. Augustine's is converted into a
laundry, and the front garden used as a drying-ground in a way that, to
my mind, is not decent."

"Yes," said Eliza, "that's Mrs. Pedder. The poor woman has to do
something for her living. She's just started, and only got one job at
present. It would be cruel----"

"Not at all. Let her wash, if she must wash, but let her wash somewhere
else. I cannot have these offensive rags flapping in my face when I
walk down the street."

"They're not offensive rags. I'm most particular about your things."

"What do you mean?"

"It's your things that she washes. I thought I'd give her a start."

I dashed off half a glass of beer, put the glass down with a bang, and
flung myself back in the chair without a word.

"Don't behave in that silly way," said Eliza. "She's a halfpenny
cheaper on the shirt than the last woman."

"You need not mention that," I replied. "In any case I shall not
complain now. I must bear the burden of any mistakes that you make. I
am well aware of it."

"I'll tell her to hang them out at the back in future."

"She can hang them where she pleases. I suppose I can bear it. It's
only one more trial to bear. One thing goes after another."

"On the contrary," said Eliza, "she's never lost as much as a collar.
There's a smut on your nose."

"It can stop there," I said, moodily, and went out into the garden.

THE "CHRISTIAN MARTYR"

The "Christian Martyr" was what is called an engraving, and a very
tasteful thing, too, besides being the largest picture we had. It
represented a young woman, drowned, floating down a river by night,
with her hands tied, and a very pleasing expression on her face. With
the frame (maple, and a gilt border inside) it came to three-and-six. I
bought it in the Edgware Road on my own responsibility, and carried it
home. I thought Eliza would like it, and she did.

"Poor thing!" she said. "You can see she must have been a lady, too.
But frightfully dusty!"

"You can't get everything f