MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 139 



Lavvy had wisely given herself something to do at the 

 tea-table. 



" I told you, Lavvy, it was an unfortunate experience for 

 you." 



" I suppose it must have been, for I confess I couldn't 

 have believed that my sex would show up so badly ; I won- 

 dered what any one of them would have done with ten 

 children and fifteen shillings a week." 



" It's always a marvel to me how those people manage," 

 Jack put in, with an endeavour to pour oil on waters which 

 he saw were troubled. 



" Method," Lavvy replied shortly. " Method when things 

 are done well, and they are done well, marvellously well, on 

 occasion. Union is strength ; every member of the family 

 gradually comes into use as long as they are at home ; it is 

 when they go out that they cease to consider the old folk 

 that gave them a start." 



" I always thought the other union was all they had to 

 look to," Jack said ; he liked to hear Lavvy talk. 



" It's the outdoor relief which does the mischief. Sons 

 and daughters come to look upon it as maintenance which 

 removes responsibility from themselves. The more you go 

 round and tell them they are a down-trodden race, the more 

 they believe it and the more selfish they become. I've learnt 

 a great deal about want of method to-day. It is no good 

 living in the seventh heaven of theory when one has things 

 given one to do. / believe the only chance of success is to 

 set to work to do them." 



Lavvy relapsed into an offended silence ; how much was 

 real, and how much put on, like her hair, did not appear. 



Miss Badsworth felt uncomfortable, and Jack Morgan was 

 puzzled as he watched each variation of the girl's expression. 



" You appear to blame me for something, Lavvy/' the 

 former said doubtfully. 



Lavvy was forced to smile, she couldn't help it when she 

 noticed the bewildered look on her aunt's face. 



" I do and I don't, auntie," she said. '* You remind me of 



