CHAPTER IV
At about nine o’clock at night, on every alternate Wednesday, Miss Mary Datchet made
the same resolve, that she would never again lend her rooms for any purposes whatsoever.
Being, as they were, rather large and conveniently situated in a street mostly dedicated to
offices off the Strand, people who wished to meet, either for purposes of enjoyment, or to
discuss art, or to reform the State, had a way of suggesting that Mary had better be asked
to lend them her rooms. She always met the request with the same frown of well–
simulated annoyance, which presently dissolved in a kind of half–humorous, half–surly
shrug, as of a large dog tormented by children who shakes his ears. She would lend her
room, but only on condition that all the arrangements were made by her. This fortnightly
meeting of a society for the free discussion of everything entailed a great deal of moving,
and pulling, and ranging of furniture against the wall, and placing of breakable and
precious things in safe places. Miss Datchet was quite capable of lifting a kitchen table on
her back, if need were, for although well–proportioned and dressed becomingly, she had
the appearance of unusual strength and determination.
She was some twenty–five years of age, but looked older because she earned, or intended to earn, her own living, and had already lost the look of the irresponsible spectator, and taken on that of the private in the army of workers. Her gestures seemed to have a certain purpose, the muscles round eyes and lips were set rather firmly, as though the senses had undergone some discipline, and were held
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