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three times； and her face being so friendly I spoke to her； and she
spoke to me。 There！” said the old woman to Stephen； “you can
make all the rest out for yourself now； a deal shorter than I can； I
dare say！”
Once again； Stephen had to conquer an instinctive propensity
to dislike this old woman； though her manner was as honest and
simple as a manner possibly could be。 With a gentleness that was
natural to him as he knew it to be to Rachael； he pursued the
subject that interested her in her old age。
“Well； Missus；” said he； “I ha seen the lady； and she were yoong
and hansom。 Wi’ fine dark thinkin eyes； and a still way； Rachael；
as I ha never seen the like on。”
“Young and handsome。 Yes！” cried the old woman； quite
delighted。 “As bonny as a rose！ And what a happy wife！”
“Aye； missus； I suppose she be；” said Stephen。 But with a
doubtful glance at Rachael。
“Suppose she be？ She must be。 She’s your master’s wife；”
returned the old woman。
Stephen nodded assent。 “Though as to master；” said he；
glancing again at Rachael； “not master onny more。 That’s aw
enden twixt him and me。”
“Have you left his work； Stephen？” asked Rachael； anxiously
and quickly。
“Why Rachael；” he replied； “whether I ha lef’n his work or
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whether his work ha lef’n me； cooms t’ th same。 His work and me
are parted。 ’Tis as weel so—better； I were thinken when yo coom
up wi’ me。 It would ha brought’n trouble upon trouble if I had
stayed theer。 Haply ’tis a kindness to monny that I go； haply ’tis a
kindness to myseln； anyways it mun be done。 I mun turn my face
fro Coketown fur th’ time； and seek a fort’n； dear； by beginnin
fresh。”
“Where will you go； Stephen？”
“I donno t’night；” said he； lifting off his hat； and smoothing his
thin hair with the flat of his hand。 “But I’m not goin t’night；
Rachael； nor yet t’morrow。 Tan’t easy overmuch； t’know weer ’t
turn； but a good heart will coom to me。”
Herein； too； the sense of even thinking unselfishly aided him。
Before he had so much as closed Mr Bounderby’s door； he had
reflected that at least his being obliged to go away was good for
her； as it would save her from the chance of being brought into
question for not withdrawing from him。 Though it would cost him
a hard pang to leave her； and though he could think of no similar
place in which his condemnation would not pursue him； perhaps it
was almost a relief to be forced away from the endurance of the
last four days； even to unknown difficulties and distresses。
So he said； with truth； “I’m more leetsome； Rachael； under ’t
than I could’n ha believed。” It was not her part to make his burden
heavier。 She answered with her comforting smile； and the three
walked on together。
Age； especially when it strives to be self…reliant and cheerful；
finds much consideration among the poor。 The woman was so
decent and contented； and made so light of her infirmities； though
they had increased upon her since her former interview with
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Hard Times 200
Stephen； that they both took an interest in her。 She was too
sprightly to allow of their walking at a slow pace on her account；
but she was very grateful to be talked to； and very willing to talk to
any extent： so； when they came to their part of the town； she was
more brisk and vivacious than ever。
“Coom to my poor place； missus；” said Stephen； “and tak a
coop o’ tea。 Rachael will coom then； and arterwards I’ll see thee
safe t’ thy Travellers’ lodgin。 ’T may be long； Rachael； ere ever I
ha’ th’ chance o’ thy company agin。”
They complied； and the three went on to the house where he
lodged。 When they turned into a narrow street； Stephen glanced at
his window with a dread that always haunted his desolate home；
but it was open； as he had left it； and no one was there。 The evil
spirit of his life had flitted away again； months ago； and he had
heard no more of her since。 The only evidences of her last return
now； were the scantier moveables in his room； and the greyer hair
upon his head。
He lighted a candle； set out his little tea…board； got hot water
from below； and brought in small portions of tea and sugar； a loaf；
and some butter； from the nearest shop。 The bread was new and
crusty； the butter fresh； and the sugar lump； of course—in
fulfilment of the standard testimony of the Coketown magnates；
that these people lived like princes； sir。 Rachael made the tea （so
large a party necessitated the borrowing of a cup）； and the visitor
enjoyed it mightily。 It was the first glimpse of sociality the host had
had for many days。 He too； with the world a wide heath before
him； enjoyed the meal—again in corroboration of the magnates； as
exemplifying the utter want of calculation on the part of these
people； sir。
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“I ha never thowt yet； missus；” said Stephen； “o’ askin thy
name。”
The old lady announced herself as “Mrs Pegler。”
“A widder； I think？” said Stephen。
“Oh； many years！” Mrs Pegler’s husband （one of the best on
record） was already dead； by Mrs Pegler’s calculation； when
Stephen was born。
“’Twere a bad job too； to lose so good a one；” said Stephen。
“Onny children？”
Mrs Pegler’s cup； rattling against her saucer as she held it；
denoted some nervousness on her part。 “No；” she said。 “Not now；
not now。”
“Dead； Stephen；” Rachael softly hinted。
“I’m sooary I ha’ spok’n on ’t；” said St