And no unsuitable title was that--Jenny Blossom; for whether taken in
connection with her young and blooming face, or her trade, the name
seemed equally adapted. Ask for her as Jane Bradds, and people would
have shaken their heads; though the mention of Jenny Blossom brought a
bright look into perhaps a scowling face; and Number 5 in the court was
indicated directly.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
STORY FOUR, CHAPTER FIVE.
Number 5 in the court! Come up the four flights of creaking stairs to
the only bright thing in the crowded place--the only bright thing likely
to meet the eye, where squalor, misery, poverty, wretchedness, filth,
and sickness ran riot. Breakfast is over, and, so that Jenny's needle
shall not be stayed, Dick has himself washed and put away the two cups
and saucers, and now sits by the fire drying the splashes upon his white
apron. His carpet-cap is upon his head, and his porter's knot rests
against his chair. The only sound in the room is the click of Jenny's
thimble, as it sends the sharp needle flying through the hard slop-work
upon which she is busy.
Pretty? Well, yes, there is the beauty in her face of youth. No
Grecian-cut lines or finely chiselled features, but the simple bright
countenance of an English girl, as she bends over her work.
Jenny's face was never pale, spite of the mephytic gases of
Gutter-alley; but the rosy flush upon it deepened as a step was heard
upon the stairs, followed by a tap at the door.
A querulous "Come in!" from old Dick, and then a tall, stout young
fellow entered, bearing a basket of violets, whose sweet fragrance
filled the room.
"Oh, it's you, is it, Harry?" said the old man. "Had you got money
enough?"
"O yes, plenty; but I spent it all," was the reply. "The flowers are
rare and fresh this morning."
"That's right, Harry--that's right," quavered the old man. "Set 'em
down--set 'em down. And now what's to pay?"
"Pay? What for?" was the rather gruff response, as the new-comer looked
hard the while at Jenny.
"For your trouble, Harry. You ought to take something for your
trouble."
"'Tisn't trouble!" said the young man, more gently, still looking hard
at Jenny, who never raised her eyes from her work. "When I'm at market,
as I've often said before, it isn't much to bring home a few bunches of
flowers. I should like to bring them every morning, if I may."
He still glanced at Jenny, as if he hoped that the permission might come
from her; but she made no sign, and old Dick himself broke the awkward
silence by thanking the young man once more, and he then took his
departure with a disappointed aspect.
The flower-bearer slowly descended the stairs, nettled at the calm,
patronising manner adopted by the old man.
"Poor old chap," he muttered; "I wonder what he really does think."
He said no more, for at the foot of the stairs he encountered a
smartly-dressed youth, apparently a junior clerk in some city office.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account