"
"But your art!"
"I am afraid few of them think much about that, and what I have to do is
to see that the parents are well enough pleased to keep their girls on
at singing. I do my best for them; but one gets tired."
[Sidenote: Another Surprise]
Claudia did not reply. This seemed a sadly mercenary view of work, and a
little shocked her. But then Claudia had not to earn her own living.
Claudia's inquiries of Sarah Griffin were scarcely more cheerful. Sarah
was at the shop from 8.30 until 7, and was unable, therefore, to see her
friend during the day. Aunt Jane and Aunt Ruth insisted that Sarah
should spend the evening at St. John's Wood, and promised that she
should leave early in the morning.
She came. Again Claudia marvelled at the change in her friend. Already
she seemed ten years older than her age; her clothes, if neat, cried
aloud of a narrow purse. She had lost a good deal of the brightness
which once marked her, and had gathered instead a patient, worn look
which had a pathos of its own.
Sarah did not announce her poverty, but under the sympathetic hands of
Aunt Ruth and Aunt Jane she in time poured out the history of her daily
life.
She was thankful to be in work, even though it was poorly paid. When
first in search of occupation, she had spent three weary weeks in going
from one house of business to another. In some she was treated
courteously, in a few kindly, in many coarsely, in some insultingly.
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