“This house is dangerous to live in,” said Arminell. “Does Mr. Macduff not see that repairs are done? It is unfit for human habitation.”
“Macduff!” scoffed Mrs. Kite. “Do y’ think that this house belongs to his lordship? It is mine, and because it is mine they cannot force me to leave it, and to go into the workhouse.”
“But you are in peril of your life here, the chimney might fall and bury you any windy night. The roof might crash in.”
“So the sanitary officer says. He has condemned the house.”
“No. He has done his duty. But I am not going to turn out.”
“Yet surely, Mrs. Kite, if the place is dangerous, you will not be allowed to remain?”
“Who can interfere with me? The board of guardians have applied to the petty sessions for an order, and it has been granted and served on me.”
“No; they can order me to go, but they cannot force me to go. The policeman says they can fine me ten shillings a day if I remain and defy them. Let them fine me. They must next get an order to distrain to get the amount. They may sell my furniture, but they won’t be able to turn me out.”
“But why remain in peril of your life? You will be crushed under the ruins some stormy night.”
“Why remain here? Because I’ve nowhere else to go to. I will not go into the union, and I will not live in a house with other folk. I am accustomed to be alone. I am not afraid. Here I am at liberty, and I will die here rather than lose my freedom.”
“I do not need to. I fear nothing, not the sanitary officer; he can do nothing. Not the board of guardians; they can do nothing. Not the magistrates; they cannot touch me.”[1]
“I pick up a trifle. I bless bad knees and stop the flow of blood, and show where stolen goods are hidden, and tell who has ill-wished any one.”
“You receive contributions from the superstitious.”
“I get my living my own way. There is room for all in the world.”
Arminell seated herself in a chair offered her, and looked at the raven in its cage, picking at the bars.
Silence ensued for a few minutes. Patience folded her bare brown arms across her bosom, and standing opposite the girl, studied her from head to foot.
“The Honourable Miss Inglett!” she said, and laughed. “Why are you the honourable, and I the common person? Why are you a lady, at ease, well-dressed, and I a poor old creature badgered by sanitary officers and board of guardians, and magistrates, and by my lord, the chairman at the petty sessions?”