No More Learning

"

Mr. Beeton had no special reason to believe in the loftiness of human
nature. Therefore he dissolved himself like a mist and returned to his
gas-plugs without a word of apology. Bessie watched the flight with a
certain uneasiness; but so long as Dick appeared to be ignorant of the
harm that had been done to him. . .

"It's hard work pulling the beer-handles," she went on, "and they've got
one of them penny-in-the-slot cash-machines, so if you get wrong by a
penny at the end of the day--but then I don't believe the machinery is
right. Do you? "

"I've only seen it work. Mr. Beeton. "

"He's gone.

"I'm afraid I must ask you to help me home, then. I'll make it worth
your while. You see.
" The sightless eyes turned towards her and Bessie
saw.

"It isn't taking you out of your way? " he said hesitatingly. "I can ask
a policeman if it is. "

"Not at all. I come on at seven and I'm off at four. That's easy hours. "

"Good God! --but I'm on all the time. I wish I had some work to do too.
Let's go home, Bess. "

He turned and cannoned into a man on the sidewalk, recoiling with an
oath. Bessie took his arm and said nothing--as she had said nothing when
he had ordered her to turn her face a little more to the light. They
walked for some time in silence, the girl steering him deftly through
the crowd.

"And where's--where's Mr. Torpenhow?