‘The whole of it,’ I exclaimed. He opened his eyes, but said nothing whilst I removed my hat. He then exclaimed: ‘That’s a beautiful ’ead of hair to remove, miss. Hall, do I understand? Or can it be singeing and cleaning that you want done?’ ‘All,’ said I, ‘and pray be quick, for there is not much daylight left.’ He took down my hair, and in the glass I sat in front of I saw him fall back and admire it. I also witnessed expostulation in his face, and he stole doubtful looks at me in the mirror as though he questioned my sanity; on which I peremptorily repeated my request that he would cut off all my hair. A woman’s hair is her glory, they say, and I felt as though I was parting with a crown of beauty as I watched my long raven-black tresses in the glass falling under the shearing snip of the remorseless scissors. But there was a sense of triumph in me, too--the elation of love--the feeling that what I was doing was for Tom’s sake, and that this was the very least of the sacrifices I was willing to make for him. I obliged the man to crop me as close behind as though I were a convict, but to leave me enough in front to part my hair on one side. He did as I bid him, but when I came to part my hair I found it stubborn; the old parting down the middle would insist on showing; so I told him to crop me close that the hair might bristle on end. When he had done so, I scarcely knew myself. The man looked at the hair he had cut off and asked what I wished to do with it. ‘I don’t know,’ said I, putting on my hat. ‘I’ll give you a guinea for it, miss, and throw in the job of cutting it.’ ‘It is beautiful hair and worth three times what you offer; but you shall have it for a guinea, nevertheless.’ He paid me the money, and I left the shop. When I got to my lodgings, I locked the door, dressed myself in the boy’s clothes I had brought with me from Stepney, put on my cap, and then stood upon the table that I might see my full length in the chimney-glass. I was perfectly satisfied with the appearance I made. I looked just a hearty, strapping young lad of seventeen, out and away more manly to the eye than the saucy boy who had kissed his hand to me. I sprang on to the floor, and for a long while practised the paces of a man, striding round the room and stretching my legs, and whilst I walked I told over a few things I might require when I should be hidden under the forecastle of the convict ship, and paused at the table from time to time to note down the articles.