bref of fresh air, and there I was upstairs 'namelling that floor she done so bad, so's to get it done before she came back. I thought I'd 'namel that floor and then get tea and 'ave it quiet with you, toce and all, before she came back. 'Ow was I to think about Callers?"
She paused. "Well," said Kipps, "what them?"
"They came and rapped. 'Ow was I to know? I thought it was a tradesman or something. Never took my apron off, never wiped the 'namel off my 'ands—nothing. There they was!"
She paused again. She was getting to the disagreeable part.
"Wad they say?" said Kipps.
"She says, 'Is Mrs. Kipps at home?' See? To me."
"Yes."
"And me all painty and no cap on and nothing, neither missis nor servant like. There, Artie, I could 'a sunk through the floor with shame, I really could. I could 'ardly get my voice. I couldn't think of nothing to say but just 'Not at 'Ome,' and out of 'abit like I 'eld the tray. And they give me the cards and went, and 'ow I shall ever look that lady in the face again I don't know.… And that's all about it, Artie! They looked me up and down, they did, and then I shut the door on 'em."
"Goo!" said Kipps.
Ann went and poked the fire needlessly with a passion quivering hand.
