by H G Wells

As I sit writing in my study, hear our Jane bumping her way downstairs with brush and dust-pan She used old days to sing hymn tunes, or the British national song being, instruments, but latterly she silent and even careful over her work Time was when I prayed with fervour for such silence, and my wife with sighs for such care, but now come so glad as anticipated Indeed, rejoice secretly, though it unmanly weakness to admit it, even to hear Jane sing "Daisy," or, fracture of any plate but one of Euphemia's best green ones, to learn period of brooding to an end

Yet how we longed to hear the last of Jane's young man before we heard the last of him ! Jane was always very free with her conversation to my wife, and discoursed admirably kitchen on variety of topics-- , indeed, that I sometimes left my study door open--our house is small one--to partake of it But after William came, always William, nothing but William; William this and William that; and when we thought William was worked out and exhausted altogether, then William all over again The engagement lasted altogether three years; yet how she got introduced to William, and so became thus saturated , was always secret part, I believe street corner where the Rev Barnabas Baux used to hold an open-air service after evensong on Sundays Young Cupids were wont to flit like moths round the paraffin flare centre of High Church hymn-singing I fancy she stood singing hymns there, out of memory and her imagination, instead of coming home supper, and William came up beside her and said, "Hello ! " "Hello yourself ! " she said; and etiquette being satisfied, they proceeded together

As Euphemia has reprehensible way of letting her servants talk to her, she soon heard of him " such respectable young man, ma'am," said Jane, "you don't know " Ignoring the slur cast on her acquaintance, my wife inquired further William

" second porter at Maynard's, the draper's," said Jane, "and gets eighteen shillings--nearly pound--a week, m'm; and head porter leaves head porter His relatives are quite superior people, m'm Not labouring people at all His father was greengrosher, m'm, and had churnor, and bankrup' twice And one sisters is in Home Dying match , m'm," said Jane, "me being an orphan girl "

"Then engaged to him ? " asked my wife

"Not engaged, ma'am; but saving money ring--hammyfist "

"Well, Jane, properly engaged to him ask him round here on Sunday afternoons, tea kitchen;" Euphemia has motherly conception of her duty towards her maid-servants And presently the amethystine ring was being worn house, even with ostentation, and Jane developed new way of bringing joint so gage was evident The elder Miss Maitland was aggrieved , and told my wife that servants ought not to wear rings But my wife looked it up in Enquire Within and Mrs Motherly's Book of Household Management_, and found no prohibition So Jane remained happiness added to her love

The treasure of Jane's heart appeared what respectable people call very deserving young man "William, ma'am," said Jane one day suddenly, with ill-concealed complacency, as she counted out the beer bottles, "William, ma'am, is teetotaller Yes, m'm; and he don't smoke Smoking, ma'am," said Jane, as one who reads the heart, "_do make such dust about Beside the waste of money smell However, I suppose they got -- . "

William was at first rather shabby young man ready-made black coat school of costume He had watery gray eyes, and complexion appropriate brother of one in Home Dying Euphemia fancy him , even beginning His eminent respectability was vouched for by an alpaca umbrella, he never allowed himself parted

"He goes to chapel," said Jane "His papa, ma'am----"

"His what_, Jane ? "

"His papa, ma'am, was Church: but Mr Maynard is Plymouth Brother, and William thinks it Policy, ma'am, there too Mr Maynard comes and talks to him quite friendly ain't busy, about using up all the ends of string, and about his soul He takes lot of notice, do Mr Maynard, of William, way he saves his soul, ma'am "

Presently we heard head porter at Maynard's had left, William was head porter at twenty-three shillings week " really kind of over the man who drives the van," said Jane, "and him married, with three children " And she promised pride of her heart interest with William to favour us get our parcels of drapery from Maynard's with exceptional promptitude

promotion rapidly-increasing prosperity came upon Jane's young man One day we learned that Mr Maynard had given William book "'Smiles' 'Elp Yourself,' it's called," said Jane; "but it ain't comic It tells you how on , and some what William read was _lovely_, ma'am "

Euphemia told me , laughing, and then she became suddenly grave " , dear," she said, "Jane said like She quiet for minute, and then she suddenly remarked, 'William is lot above me, ma'am, ain't he ? '"

"I don't see anything ," , though later my eyes were opened

One Sunday afternoon sitting at my writing-desk-- possibly reading good book--when something went window I heard startled exclamation behind me, and saw Euphemia with her hands clasped together and her eyes dilated "George," she said in an awe-stricken whisper, "did ? "

Then we both spoke to one another same moment, slowly and solemnly: "_A silk hat ! Yellow gloves ! new umbrella ! "

"It my fancy, dear," said Euphemia; "but his tie was very like yours I believe Jane keeps him in ties She told me little while ago, in way that implied volumes rest of your costume, 'The master _do wear pretty ties, ma'am ' And he echoes all your novelties "

The young couple passed our window again on their way customary walk They were arm in arm Jane looked exquisitely proud, happy, and uncomfortable, with new white cotton gloves, and William, silk hat, singularly genteel !

That culmination of Jane's happiness When she returned, " Mr Maynard talking to William, ma'am," she said, "and customers, just like the young shop gentlemen, during the next sale And if he gets on, he made an assistant, ma'am, first opportunity He has got as gentlemanly as , ma'am; and if he ain't, ma'am, it won't be for want of trying Mr Maynard has took great fancy to him "

" getting on, Jane," said my wife

"Yes, ma'am," said Jane thoughtfully; " getting on "

And she sighed

That next Sunday as I drank my tea I interrogated my wife "How Sunday different from all other Sundays, little woman ? What has happened ? altered the curtains, or re-arranged the furniture, or where indefinable difference of it ? wearing your hair in new way without warning me ? I perceive change clearly, and life of me say what "

Then my wife answered in her most tragic voice, "George," she said, "that William come near the place to-day ! And Jane is crying her heart out upstairs "

There followed period of silence Jane, as said, stopped singing house, and began to care brittle possessions, which struck my wife as being very sad sign indeed The next Sunday, next, Jane asked out, "to walk with William," and my wife, who never attempts to extort confidences, gave her permission, and asked no questions On each occasion Jane came back looking flushed and very determined At last one day she became communicative

"William is being led away," she remarked abruptly, with catching breath, apropos of tablecloths "Yes, m'm milliner, and play piano "

" ," said my wife, "that you went out on Sunday "

"Not out , m'm--after him I walked along side , and told her engaged "

"Dear me, Jane, did you ? What did ? "

"Took no more notice of me than if dirt So her she should suffer "

"It very agreeable walk, Jane "

"Not for no parties, ma'am "

" ," said Jane, " play the piano, ma'am But anyhow, I don't mean to let her get him away from me She's older than him, and her hair ain't gold roots, ma'am "

August Bank Holiday crisis came clearly know the details fray, but only such fragments as poor Jane let fall She came home dusty, excited, and with her heart hot within her