ing maid to a lady. It was that lady that tricked me. I—''
''Maid to a lady!'' The nurses laughed again. ''Well, don''t that take the cake! We got plenty girls suppose themselves duchesses. I never met one that thought herself a duchess''s maid! Dear me, that''s novel, that is. We shall have to put you in the kitchen, give you polish and a cloth.''
I stamped my foot.
''For fuck''s sake!'' I cried.
That stopped them laughing. They caught hold of me, and shook me; and Nurse Spiller hit me again about the face—upon the same spot as before—though not so hard. I suppose she thought the old bruise would cover up the new. The pale old woman saw her do it and gave a cry. Betty, the idiot girl, began to moan.
''There, now you''ve set them off!'' said Nurse Spiller. ''And here''s the doctors due, any minute.''
She shook me again, then let me stagger away so she might put straight her apron. The doctors were like kings to them. Nurse Bacon went to Betty, to bully her out of her tears. The dark nurse ran to the old woman.
''You finish fastening your buttons, you creature!'' she said, waving her arms. And you, Mrs Price, you take your hair from out your mouth this instant. Haven''t I told you a hundred times, you shall swallow a ball of it, and choke? I''m sure I don''t know why I warn you, we should all be glad if you did . . .''
I looked at the door. Nurse Spiller had left it open, and I wondered if I might reach it if I ran. But from the room next to