Thus were things arranged for to-night. Mrs. Bubb swept and
garnished her parlour for the becoming reception of a visitor whom
she could not but "look up to." Mrs. Clover's origin was as humble
as her own, and her education not much better, but natural gifts and
worldly circumstances had set a distance between them. Partly,
perhaps, because she was the widow of a police constable Mrs. Bubb
gave all due weight to social distinctions; she knew her "place,"
and was incapable of presuming. With Polly Sparkes she did not
hesitate to use freedom, for Polly could not pretend to be on a
social level with her aunt, and as a young girl of unformed
character naturally owed deference to an experienced matron who took
a kindly interest in her.
There had been some question of inviting Mr. Sparkes, but Mr. Gammon
spoke against it. No; let Polly have a fair chance, first of all, of
unbosoming herself before her aunt and her landlady. If she refused
to do so, why then other steps must be taken.
Gammon passed the day in high spirits, which, with the aid of
seasonable beverages, tended to hilarious excitement.
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