Tipping the Velvet Read Free Page B

then: 'I'm going downstairs.' And while All at once, however, she raised her eyes and gazed at us she sat on for the rest of the turn, I went slowly down to the over her knuckles: we saw that she wasn't'weeping at all, empty lobby - there to stand with my cheek against the cool but smiling - and then, suddenly, winking, hugely and glass of the door, and to sing again, to myself, Miss Butler's roguishly. Very swiftly she stepped once again to the front song, 'Sweethearts and Wives'.
    of the stage, and gazed into the stalls for the prettiest girl.
    Soon there came the roars and stamps that meant the end of When she found her, she raised her hand and the rose went Gully's set; and after a moment Alice appeared, still fanning flying over the shimmer of the footlights, over the herself with her bonnet, and blowing at the dampened curls orchestra-pit, to land in the pretty girl's lap.
    which clung to her pink cheeks. She gave me a wink: 'Let's We went wild for her then. We roared and stamped and she, call on Tony.' I followed her to his little room, and sat and all gallant, raised her hat to us and, waving, took her leave.
    idly twisted in the chair behind his desk, while he stood 15

    16

    with his arm about her waist. There was a bit of chat about Plushes. You sit in a box, and make sure the audience gets a Mr Sutherland and his spotted handkerchief; then, 'What look at you: it might give them ideas above their station.'
    about that Kitty Butler, eh?' said Tony. 'Ain't she a
    'It might give Nancy ideas above her station,' said Alice.
    smasher? If she carries on tickling the crowd like she did
    'We couldn't have that.' Then she laughed, as Tony tonight, I tell you, Uncle'll be extending her contract till tightened his grip about her waist and leaned to kiss her.
    Christmas.'
    It would not have been quite the thing, I suppose, for city At that I stopped my twirling. 'She's the best turn I ever girls to go to music halls unchaperoned; but people weren't saw," I said, 'here or anywhere! Tricky would be a fool to so very prim about things like that in Whitstable. Mother let her go: you tell him from me.' Tony laughed, and said he only gave a frown and a mild tut-tut when I spoke, next would be sure to; but as he said it I saw him wink at Alice, day, of returning to the Palace; Alice laughed and declared then let his gaze dally, rather spoonily, over her lovely face.
    that I was mad: she wouldn't come with me, she said, to sit I looked away, and sighed, and said quite guilelessly: 'Oh, I all night in the smoke and the heat for the sake of a glimpse do wish that I might see Miss Butler again!'
    of a girl in trousers - a girl whose turn we had seen and
    'And so you shall,' said Alice, 'on Saturday.' We had all songs we had listened to not four-and-twenty hours before.
    planned to come to the Palace - Father, Mother, Davy, Fred, I was shocked by her carelessness, but secretly rather glad everyone - on Saturday night. I plucked at my glove.
    at the thought of gazing again at Miss Butler, all alone. I
    'I know,' I said. 'But Saturday seems so very far away was also more thrilled than I cared to let on by Tony's Tony laughed again. 'Well, Nance, and who said you had to promise that I might sit in a box. For my trip to the theatre wait so long? You can come tomorrow night if you like -
    the night before I had worn a rather ordinary dress; now, and any other night you please, so far as I'm concerned.
    however - it had been a slow day in the Parlour, and Father And if there ain't a seat for you in the gallery, why, we'll let us shut the shop at six - I put on my Sunday frock, the put you in a box at the side of the stage, and you can gaze at frock I usually wore to go out walking in with Freddy.
    Miss Butler to your heart's content from there!'
    Davy whistled when I came down all dressed up; and there He spoke, I'm sure, to impress my sister; but my heart gave were one or two boys who tried to catch my eye all through a strange kind of twist at