Brother Copas, with a chuckle, leant back and beckoned Corona in from the yard.
At sight of her on the threshold Mrs.Royle broke into a coarse laugh.

It found no echo, and died away half-heartedly.

For one thing, there might yet be a real visitor behind the child; for another, these women stood in some little awe of Brother Copas, who paid well for his laundry-work, never mixed himself up with gossip, and moreover had a formidable trick of lifting his hat whenever he passed one of these viragoes, and after a glance at her face, fixing an amused stare at her feet.
"Pardon me, ladies," said he; "but my small laundry-work has hitherto gone, as you know, to old Mrs.Vigurs in St.Faith's Road.

Last week she sent me word that she could no longer undertake it, the fact being that she has just earned her Old Age Pension and is retiring upon it.

I come to ask if one of you will condescend to take her place and oblige me." He paused, tasting the fun of it.