'
The girl then opened the door and went in. I heard the woman's voice
say in answer to her,
'Friend? Who is it? Are you sure, Poll, it ain't a copper in plain
clothes come about that gal?'
The girl came out, and signalling me to enter, went leisurely
downstairs. Leaving Sinfi outside on the landing, I entered the room.
There, on a sort of truckle-bed in one corner, I saw the woman. She
slowly raised herself up on her elbows to stare at me. I took for
granted that she would recognise me at once; but either because she
was in drink when I saw her last, or because she had got the idea of
a policeman in plain clothes, she did not seem to know me. Then a
look of dire alarm broke over her face and she said,
'P'leaceman, I'm as hinicent about that air gal as a new-born babe.'
'Mrs. Gudgeon,' I said, 'I only want you to tell a friend of mine
about your daughter.'
'Oh yis! a friend o' yourn! Another or two on ye in plain clothes
behind the door, I dessay. An' pray who said the gal wur my darter?
What for do you want to put words into the mouth of a hinicent dyin'
woman? I comed by 'er 'onest enough.
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