第42章

It had taken Ada weeks to discover Mrs Herring's physical defect,which she humoured by shaving.Now Ada could tell in an instant whether she was shaven or hairy,for when her lip bristled with hairs for lack of the razor,she peered over the fence so as to hide the lower part of her face.

Ada,being used to such things,thought at first she was hiding a black eye.But who was there to give her one?Aaron the pawnbroker,not being her husband,could not take such a liberty.

She had introduced herself over the fence the week of Ada's arrival,giving her the history of the neighbourhood in an unceasing flow of perfect English,her voice never rising above a whisper.For days she would disappear altogether,and then renew the conversation by coughing gently on her side of the fence.This morning her lip was shaven,and she leaned over the fence,full of gossip.But Ada's sullen face caught her eye,and instantly she was full of sympathy,a peculiar look of falsity shining in her light blue eyes.

"Why,what's the matter,dearie?"she inquired.

"Oh,nuthin',"said Ada roughly.

"Ah,you mustn't tell me that!When my poor husband was alive,I've often looked in my glass and seen a face like that.He was my husband,and Isuppose I should say no more,but men never brought any happiness to me or any other woman that I know of.The first day I set eyes on you,I said,'That's an unhappy woman.'""Well,yer needn't tell the bloomin'street,"growled Ada.

"What you want is love and sympathy,but I suppose your husband is too busy making money to spare the time for that.Ah,many's the time,when my poor dear husband was alive,did I pine for a kind word,and get a black look instead!And a woman can turn to no one in a trouble like that.She feels as if her own door had been slammed in her face.What you want is a cheerful outing with a sympathetic friend,but I hear you're little more than a prisoner in your own house.""Who told yer that?"cried Ada,flushing angrily.

"A little bird told me,"said the woman,with a false grin.

"Well,I'd wring its neck,if I 'eard it,"cried Ada."And as fer bein'a prisoner,I'm goin'out this very afternoon.""Why,how curious!"cried Mrs Herring."This is my afternoon out.We could have a pleasant chat,if you have nothing better to do."Ada hesitated.Jonah always wanted to know where she was going,and had forbidden her to make friends with the neighbours,for in Cardigan Street friendship with neighbours generally ended in a fight or the police court.

She had never defied Jonah before,but her anger was burning with a steady flame.She'd show him!

"I'll meet yer at three o'clock opposite the church,"she cried,and walked away.

She gave Jonah his meal in silence,and sent Ray off on a message before two o'clock.But Jonah seemed to have nothing to do this afternoon,and sat,contrary to custom,reading the newspaper.Ada watched the clock anxiously,fearing she would be baulked.But,as luck would have it,Jonah was suddenly called into the shop,and the coast was clear.It never took Ada long to dress;her clothes always looked as if they had been thrown on with a pitchfork,and she slipped down the outside stairs into the lane at the back.It was the first time she had gone out without telling Jonah where she was going and when she would be back.And afterwards she could never understand why she crept out in this furtive manner.Mrs Herring was waiting,dressed in dingy black,a striking contrast to Ada's flaring colours.They walked up Regent Street,as Mrs Herring said she wanted to buy a thimble.

But when they reached Redfern Street,Mrs Herring put her hand suddenly to her breast and cried "Oh,dearie,if you could feel how my heart is beating!I really feel as if I am going to faint.I've suffered for years with my heart,and the doctor told me always to take a drop of something soothing,when I had an attack."They were opposite the "Angel",no longer sinister and forbidding in the broad daylight.The enormous lamps hung white and opaque;the huge mirrors reflected the cheerful light of the afternoon sun.The establishment seemed harmless and respectable,like the grocer's or baker's.But from the swinging doors came a strong odour of alcohol,enveloping the two women in a vinous caress that stirred hidden desires like a strong perfume.

"Do you think we could slip in here without being seen?"said the housekeeper.

"If ye're so bad as all that,we can,"replied Ada.

Mrs Herring turned and slipped in at the side door with the dexterity of customers entering a pawnshop,and Ada followed,slightly bewildered.

The housekeeper,seeming quite familiar with the turnings,led the way to a small room at the back.Ada looked round with great curiosity.She had never entered a hotel before in this furtive fashion.In Cardigan Street she had always fetched her mother's beer in a jug from the bar.On the walls were two sporting prints of dogs chasing a hare,and a whisky calendar.On the table was a small gong,which Mrs Herring rang.Cassidy himself,the landlord,answered the ring.

"Good dey,good dey to you,Mrs Herring,"he said briskly."The same as usual,I suppose?And what'll your friend take?"he added,grinning at Ada.

"My friend,Mrs Jones,"said the housekeeper.

"Glad to meet you,"cried Cassidy."A terrible hill this,"he continued,winking at Ada."We should never see Mrs Herring,if it wasn't for the hill.""Nothing for me,"said Ada,shaking her head.

"Now just a drop to keep me company,"begged Mrs Herring.

As Ada continued to shake her head,Cassidy went out,and returned with a bottle of brandy and three glasses on a tray.