Page 157 - sons-and-lovers

‘er an actress?’
‘She is not. She’s supposed to be a lady.’
‘I’ll bet!’ he exclaimed, still staring at the photo. ‘A lady,
is she? An’ how much does she reckon ter keep up this sort
o’ game on?’
‘On nothing. She lives with an old aunt, whom she hates,
and takes what bit of money’s given her.’
‘H’m!’ said Morel, laying down the photograph. ‘Then
he’s a fool to ha’ ta’en up wi’ such a one as that.’
‘Dear Mater,’ William replied. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t like
the photograph. It never occurred to me when I sent it, that
you mightn’t think it decent. However, I told Gyp that it
didn’t quite suit your prim and proper notions, so she’s go-
ing to send you another, that I hope will please you better.
She’s always being photographed; in fact, the photographers
ask her if they may take her for nothing.’
Presently the new photograph came, with a little silly
note from the girl. This time the young lady was seen in
a black satin evening bodice, cut square, with little puff
sleeves, and black lace hanging down her beautiful arms.
‘I wonder if she ever wears anything except evening
clothes,’ said Mrs. Morel sarcastically. ‘I’m sure I ought to
be impressed.’
‘You are disagreeable, mother,’ said Paul. ‘I think the first
one with bare shoulders is lovely.’
‘Do you?’ answered his mother. ‘Well, I don’t.’
On the Monday morning the boy got up at six to start
work. He had the season-ticket, which had cost such bit-
terness, in his waistcoat pocket. He loved it with its bars

1 Sons and Lovers