They swarm like rats at Mother Ruff's, dancin' an' dicin, an' drinkin', an' wuss.

I won't say as you don't see the quality at the concerts in the Great Room, but the low rabble--well, thank the Lord they don't come _my_ way." Then Betty Higgins, who all this time had been eyeing the girl and apparently taking stock of her, suddenly harked back to the all important business which had brought Lavinia to her cottage.
"If I let ye a lodging what are ye a-goin' to do till October ?" "You spoke about the concerts at the Great Room just now," said Lavinia meditatively.

"Do they have singing ?" "Singin'?
Ah, an' such singin' as I never heard afore.

I've never been inside, it's far too fine fur the likes o' me, but the windows are sometimes open an' I've listened an' paid nothin' fur it neither." "I want to sing in that room, Mrs.Higgins.If I had a chance I believe I could please the fine gentlemen and their ladies and earn some money." Betty Higgins stared aghast.
"What are ye a-talkin' about, child?
_You_ sing?
Where's your silk gown, your lace, your furbelows to come from ?" "I don't know, but I think something might be contrived." Lavinia had Mrs.Houghton, who had been the leading lady in "The Orphan" and in "The Wits," in her mind.

Mrs.Houghton was very friendly towards her and had no end of fine dresses.
"Oh, but singin'.