The Incomplete Amorist

CHAPTER I.The InevitableNo. The chemises aren't cut out. I haven't had time. There are enough shirts to go on with aren't there Mrs. James? said Betty.We can make do for this afternoon Miss but the men they're getting blowed out with shirts. It's the children's shifts as we can't make shift without much longer. Mrs. James habitually doleful punctuated her speech with sniffs.That's a joke Mrs. James said Betty. How clever you are!I try to be what's fitting said Mrs. James complacently.Talk of fitting said Betty If you like I'll fit on that black bodice for you Mrs. Symes. If the other ladies don't mind waiting for the reading a little bit.I'd as lief talk as read myself said a red-faced sandy-haired woman books ain't what they was in my young days.If it's the same to you Miss said Mrs. Symes in a thick rich voice I'll not be tried on afore a room full. If we are poor we can all be clean's what I say and I keeps my unders as I keeps my outside. But not before persons as has real imitation lace on their petticoat bodies. I see them when I was a-nursing her with her fourth. No Miss and thanking you kindly but begging your pardon all the same.Don't mention it said Betty absently. Oh Mrs. Smith you can't have lost your thimble already. Why what's that you've got in your mouth?So it is! Mrs. Smith's face beamed at the gratifying coincidence. It always was my habit from a child to put things there for safety.These cheap thimbles ain't fit to put in your mouth no more than coppers said Mrs. James her mouth full of pins.Oh nothing hurts you if you like it said Betty recklessly. She had been reading the works of Mr. G. K. Chesterton.A shocked murmur arose.Oh Miss what about the publy kows? said Mrs. Symes heavily. The others nodded acquiescence.Don't you think we might have a window open? said Betty. The May sunshine beat on the schoolroom windows. The room crowded with the stout members of the Mother's Meeting and Mutual Clothing Club was stuffy unbearable.A murmur arose far more shocked than the first.I was just a-goin' to say why not close the door that being what doors is made for after all said Mrs. Symes. I feel a sort of draught a-creeping up my legs as it is.The door was shut.You can't be too careful said the red-faced woman we never know what a chill mayn't bring forth. My cousin's sister-in-law she had twins and her aunt come in and says she