ODOUR OF CHRYSANTHEMUMS

with you, silly thing ? " -- her voice was much
agitated, with an unreal gentleness.

" I thought it was some men come," said the
plaintive voice of the child. " Has he come ? "

" Yes, they've brought him. There's nothing
to make a fuss about. Go to sleep now, like a good
child."

They could hear her voice in the bedroom, they
waited whilst she covered the children under the
bedclothes.

" Is he drunk ? " asked the girl, timidly, faintly.

" No ! No -- he's not! He -- he's asleep."

" Is he asleep downstairs ? "

" Yes -- and don't make a noise."

There was silence for a moment, then the men
heard the frightened child again :

" What's that noise ? "

"It's nothing, I tell you, what are you bothering
for ? "

The noise was the grandmother moaning. She
was oblivious of everything, sitting on her chair
rocking and moaning. The manager put his hand
on her arm and bade her " Sh -- sh ! ! "

The old woman opened her eyes and looked at
him. She was shocked by this interruption, and
seemed to wonder.

" What time is it ? " -- the plaintive thin voice of
the child, sinking back unhappily into sleep, asked
this last question.

" Ten o'clock," answered the mother more softly.
Then she must have bent down and kissed the
children.

Matthews beckoned to the men to come away.