ODOUR OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Elizabeth. Jack Rigley came just as I was sittin'
down to a glass afore going to bed, an' 'e said,
' 'Appen you'll go down th' line, Mrs. Bates. Walt's
had an accident. 'Appen you'll go an' sit wi' 'er till
we can get him home.' I hadn't time to ask him
a word afore he was gone. An' I put my bonnet
on an' come straight down, Lizzie. I thought to
myself, ' Eh, that poor blessed child, if anybody
should come an' tell her of a sudden, there's no
knowin' what'll 'appen to 'er.' You mustn't let it
upset you, Lizzie -- or you know what to expect.
How long is it, six months -- or is it five, Lizzie ?
Ay! " -- the old woman shook her head -- " time
slips on, it slips on ! Ay ! "

Elizabeth's thoughts were busy elsewhere. If he
was killed -- would she be able to manage on the
little pension and what she could earn ? -- she
counted up rapidly. If he was hurt --they wouldn't
take him to the hospital -- how tiresome he would
be to nurse ! -- but perhaps she'd be able to get him
away from the drink and his hateful ways. She
would -- while he was ill. The tears offered to come
to her eyes at the picture. But what sentimental
luxury was this she was beginning ? -- She turned
to consider the children. At any rate she was ab-
solutely necessary for them. They were her busi-
ness.

" Ay ! " repeated the old woman, " it seems but
a week or two since he brought me his first wages.
Ay -- he was a good lad, Elizabeth, he was, in his way.
I don't know why he got to be such a trouble, I
don't. He was a happy lad at home, only full of
spirits. But there's no mistake he's been a handful