so well how to deal revived in view of the
concessions made by the new managers. Shooter's Gardens would have no
more peas; let some other vegetable be used. Again the point was
conceded; a trial was made of barley soup. Shooter's Gardens came,
looked, smelt, and shook their heads. 'It don't look nice,' was their
comment; they would none of it.

For two or three weeks, just at this crisis in the kitchen's fate, Jane
Snowdon attended with Miss Lant to help in the dispensing of the
decoction. Jane was made very nervous by the disturbances that went on,
but she was able to review the matter at issue in a far more fruitful
way than Miss Lant and the other ladies. Her opinion was not asked,
however. In the homely grey dress, with her modest, retiring manner,
her gentle, diffident countenance, she was taken by the customers for a
paid servant, and if ever it happened that she could not supply a can
of soup quickly enough sharp words reached her ear. 'Now then, you
gyurl there! Are you goin' to keep me all d'y? I've got somethink else
to do but stand 'ere.' And Jane, by her timid hastening, confirmed the
original impression, with the result that she was treated yet more
unceremoniously next time. Of all forms of insolence there is none more
flagrant than that of the degraded poor receiving charity which they
have come to regard as a right.

Jane did speak at length. Miss Lant had called to see her in Hanover
Street; seated quietly in her own parlour, with Michael Snowdon to
approve--with him she had already discussed the matter--Jane ventured
softly to compare the present state of things and that of former
winters, as described to her by various people.

'Wasn't it rather a pity,' she suggested, 'that the old people were
sent away?'

'You think so?' returned Miss Lant, with the air of one to whom a novel
thought is presented. 'You really think so, Miss Snowdon?'

'They got on so well with everybody,' Jane continued. 'And don't you
think it's better, Miss Lant, for everybody to feel satisfied?'

'But really, Mr. Batterby used to speak so very harshly. He destroyed
their self-respect.'

'I don't think they minded it,' said Jane, with simple good faith. 'And
I'm always hearing them wish he was back, instead of the new managers.'

'I think we shall have to consider this,' remarked the lady,
thoughtfully.

Considered it was, and with the result that the Batterbys before long
found themselves in their old position, uproar