self deceeve not,
Luv' may sink by slow decay;
But by suddint wrench beleeve not
'Earts can thus be torn away."'

'Have you had a quarrel with your young man?' I asked, perplexed at the
strange selection of verse.

'No, miss, but 'e's 'overin' just now--you know what I mean. I want to
bring 'im up to the scratch, like.'

I could not help thinking what blunt direct methods the lower classes
employ in affairs of the heart. In our walk in life the sending of
such lines to a gentleman who had not declared himself would be
considered almost indelicate. However, I wrote out the absurd lines
for the girl without comment, and rescued Henry's volume of Byron,
which I felt would not improve in appearance by contact with the meat
chopper, knife-board and other miscellaneous objects which she keeps in
the kitchen drawer. It is a pity Netta does not exercise stricter
supervision over Elizabeth. The girl seems to do what she likes.

'You had better ask permission from Mrs. Warrington before taking books
into the kitchen,' I said with gentle reproof. 'They might get lost or
soiled.'

'Right-o!' said Elizabeth. 'An' do you reely mean that you're not
a-goin' to give your fotograft to Mr. Roarings?'

'Indeed not,' I said vehemently, 'don't dare to suggest the idea to me
again. If Mr. Rawlings ever speaks of it to you, you can tell him how
amazed and indignant I was.'

'Right-o!' said Elizabeth, as I hurried out of the kitchen.

On thinking the whole matter over I must admit I am greatly perturbed.
I am not like those women who glory in winning a man's love for the
mere gratification of their vanity. I know myself how much one can
suffer from unrequited affection, and I am steadily determined to cure
Mr. Rawlings of his love-madness by every means in my power.

CHAPTER X

The study door burst open and one end of Elizabeth--the articulate
end--was jerked into view.

'Wot will you 'ave for lunch, 'm?' she demanded breathlessly. 'Lamb or
'am?'

Abruptly recalled from the realms of fiction writing I looked up a
little dazed. 'Lamb or 'am,' I repeated dully, 'lamorram? Er--ram, I
think, please, Elizabeth.'

Having thus disposed of my domestic obligations for the day, I returned
to my writing. I was annoyed therefore to see the other end of
Elizabeth travel round the doorway and sidle into the room. Her
pretext for entering--that of dusting the roll-top desk with her
apron--was a little thin, for she