A Social Meteor — page 196: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

186 A SOCIAL METEOR. nificant part on the stage, perhaps, but that would. require time and money, and she had neither to waste in doubtful experiments. She was deter- mined upon one point, however, and that was, that she would go away alone, without her husband; she would rather work until her fingers were worn to the bone, than spend one hour more than she could possibly help with that brute. It was badenough to have to endure him in prosperity; in poverty it would be in-. tolerable. Her cogitations were interrupted by Bijou, who was scratching and whining piteously at the door for admittance. When she let him in he jumped up, half frantic with joy, and tried to lick her face and hands. For the first time in years, perhaps, she shed a few real unselfish tears at the delight expressed by this little dumb animal, at seeing her again. “Ah” she said, “here is one at least who loves me honestly and devotedly; as it is worth while being loved. Bijou, my pet, you shall never leave me, no matter what happens. If I have to beg from door to door, you shall always be cared for.” Annette, who was unpacking her mistress’ comicbooks (Ee)