The yellow book: an illustrated quarterly (4.1895)

148 Margaret

As I came round the corner by the public-house, I heard a
hoarse shouting and clashing of pewter pots ; and looking in
through the ill-fitting flap doors, I saw a confused crowd of dirty,
greasy men, struggling to get near the counter. I walked on more
quickly down the Street, hoping to be in time.

“ Stop,” I cried suddenly to the little figure creeping along by
the houses. “You mustn’t go there to-night. Stay here and
give me the jug, and I’ll bring the beer back to you.”

She started, and caught hold of the railings with one hand.
“ Who are you ? ” she said, turning a pair of curiously dull eyes
towards me.

“ Come,” said I, “ stay here I’ll teil you all about that when I
come back ; ” and I took hold of the jug.

“ Why shouldn’t I get it to-night? I go nearly every night,
and often during the day as well; I know the way—and it isn’t
far.”

“ It’s full of drunken men,” I said ; “ you’d better stay here.”

She gave up the jug and leant listlessly against the railings,
keeping her eyes on the ground.

“ Don’t be long please ; they’re waiting for me at home. It’s
the first door on the left, and there’s ‘Jug and Bottle Entrance ’
on the glass in raised letters.”

“ This is an empty house,” I said ; u you can sit on the Steps
while I’m gone.”

When I came back I found her Standing by the door with one
hand on the bell-handle.

a Did you say this house was empty ? ” she asked, as I held
out the beer jug.

“ Yes,” I answered, glancing at the dirty Windows in which
biils were posted ; “ but why ? ”

“ Because I’ve been ringing the bell all the time you’ve been

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