The Beggar Maid Read Free Page B

housekeeper refused her admittance but her cries of distress brought the doctor himself to the door.
    â€˜I only got fourpence, doctor,’ she said breathlessly. ‘But I’ll work until I paid off your fee. It’s me grandpa. I think he’s dead.’
    â€˜Then it can wait,’ the housekeeper said firmly. ‘Do you know how many times Dr Marchant has been called out today?’
    â€˜It’s all right, Mrs Rose,’ Dr Marchant said, slipping on his overcoat. ‘Keep my dinner warm and I’ll be back before you know it.’ He put on his top hat and picked up his medical bag. ‘I seem to remember you, young lady. Didn’t I treat you for mumps not so long ago?’
    â€˜Yes, sir.’
    He placed his hand on her shoulder. ‘I remember now. Duck’s Foot Lane, and you live with your grandpa. It’s not a good place for a girl like you, Miss, er . . .’
    â€˜Crosse, sir. Charity Crosse, and I think Grandpa’s dead. He had some kind of fit . . .’
    â€˜We’ll see. The quicker we get there, the better.’
    Charity waited in the narrow hallway while the doctor examined her grandfather. It did not take long. He returned moments later and guided her out of the building into the street. ‘I’m afraid he has passed away,’ he said gently. ‘I’ll make the necessary arrangements.’
    â€˜What did for him, sir? Was it the drink?’
    He nodded his head. ‘Without a doubt, Charity. I’ve seen it all too often.’
    â€˜I can’t pay you the full amount, and I got no money for the undertaker. My grandpa will have a pauper’s funeral.’
    â€˜You need not worry about my fee, but as to the latter I’m afraid there’s no alternative, unless you have relations who would help.’
    â€˜I got no one, sir. Grandpa was all I had.’
    â€˜Have you any friends who will take you in?’
    â€˜None, sir.’ Charity met his anxious gaze with a defiant lift of her chin. ‘But I’ll be all right. I’ve lived by my wits since I was a nipper. I don’t need no one to look after me. I can manage on me own.’ She hunched her shoulders against the cold and started to walk away.
    â€˜Miss Crosse – wait.’

Chapter Two
    CHARITY GLANCED OVER her shoulder. ‘Yes?’
    Dr Marchant hurried to her side. ‘You’ve had a terrible shock, my dear. I insist that you come home with me. Mrs Rose will look after you – just for tonight, you understand.’
    â€˜There’s no need, sir. I’ll be all right.’
    â€˜I can’t allow a young girl like you to roam the streets in weather like this. I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep if I let you go now.’ Dr Marchant took her firmly by the arm. ‘Mrs Rose has a brusque manner, but beneath the hard shell beats a heart of gold. She’ll find you a bed.’
    â€˜You can sleep there, under the kitchen table.’ Mrs Rose folded her arms across her ample bosom. ‘Dorrie lies down by the range and that’s her place. I don’t expect to come down in the morning and find any different.’
    Charity shot a wary glance through the open door which led into the tiny scullery. Dorrie, who could not have been more than eight or nine years old, was standing on a box struggling to cope with the washing up.
    â€˜Do you understand?’ Mrs Rose demanded angrily. ‘Or have your wits gone begging too?’
    â€˜I understand, and I’ll be off first thing. You won’t need to be bothered with me any longer than necessary.’
    Mrs Rose took a step closer, staring at her with narrowed eyes. ‘I know exactly how much food there is in the larder and I count the cutlery every morning, so don’t think of taking anything that doesn’t belong to you. I’ve warned the good doctor about his charitable actions, but he has a soft heart and people take advantage of his good