Read Pure as the Lily for Free Online Page B

that was ringed with pencil and said, “Read that.” Mary read: “Young lady assistant wanted for dress department Good prospects. Apply Crofton’s, King Street, South Shields.” Without straightening her back, she turned her face to him and screwed up her eyes as she said, “But, Da! I won’t stand a chance, there’ll be a million after it. Crofton’s. It’s a big shop, not a huxter’s.”
    “I know, I know, I’ve seen Crofton’s store.” He nodded at her, his face half smiling.
    “An’ what’s more, I’ve been in there this morning
    Look what I’ve bought. “ He now pulled from his jacket pocket a startlingly white knot of tape.
    “Tape?” Both Grandma Walton and Mary spoke together and he nodded at first one and then the other and said, “Aye, tape.”
    “What did you have to go and buy tape for?” his mother asked him now, her small, bright round face expressing a look of amazement.
    “Not to slot through me knickers, Ma.* “ Oh, go on with you, and stop it. You’re as bad as your da with your vulgarities. “
    “God! Vulgarities.” Alee was shaking his head while he laughed, and then he said, “Well, if you want to know I’ll put you both out of your misery. It’s like this. Do any of you remember Jenny Broadbent?”
    “Of course I remember Jenny Broadbent.” It was his mother speaking.
    “She used to work....”
    “Aye, she used to work in Grofton’s. Then she left to get married; and he died, and she went back again. Well, she’s on the haberdashery counter.” He now inclined his head deeply towards Mary and, as if instructing her, said. That’s where they sell tapes, you know. “ When she pushed him he laughed, then went on, Well, anyway, when I saw this advert I thought of Jenny Broad. bent, and I thought me ma was good to her at one time, now see if she remembers that. “
    “Oh you! our Alee.”
    Yes, me your Alee. Well, your Alee went down and said “Hello, Jenny, can I have a knot of tape?” And she didn’t answer for a bit, she just looked a bit struck; and then she was half laughing when she said, “Yes, sir,” and as she passed over the tape I put the paper in front of her and pointed to that. “ He now stabbed the newspaper with his finger.
    “And I said, sotto voice’ again he turned to Mary ‘that’s under your breath you know.” Then after another push he finished, “I asked her if she could give you a helpin’ hand, and she said aye, she could, so you’ve got to be down there at half past nine the morrow morning
    “Eeh! Da. Me in Crof ton’s! But... but it’s a long way, and I’ll have to pay me tram. What’s the wage?”
    “I didn’t ask the wage but it can’t be less than what you’re getting’ now for Clod’s sake, and anyway whatever it is, you’ll have to meet your tram fare out of it. But it’s a start for you ... something better.” Yes, yes. “ Her face was broadening into a wide beam. She looked at her grannie.
    “It would be nice, wouldn’t it, to work at Grofton’s, a big shop? Eeh!” Her head swung from side to side, and her chin moved down towards her breast as if a deep shyness had overcome her as she said,
    “Eeh! fancy me getting a job in Crof ton’s.”
    “You haven’t got it yet, lass.”
    “Now be quiet, Ma; Jenny Broadbent’s almost as good as her word if I remember rightly.”
    “What do you remember rightly?” Peter Walton came into the room rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
    “I might get a job, Granda, in Shields, in Crofton’s.”
    Aye, aye! “ Peter sat down. (What’s it all about? Come on, tell us.” And they told him, and when they had finished he agreed with his son.
    “Aye it would be grand, hinny,” he said, ‘if you could get a real start in life, something refined like, not service. Although mind, it hasn’t done that one much harm. “ He thumbed towards his wife.
    “They learned her to bake and use her hands, although mind, she still hasn’t got much up top.” For two pins!