Author of
“Liza of Lambeth,” “The Hero,” “Mrs. Craddock”
London
William Heinemann
1904
HERBERT AND MARGUERITE BUNNING
I bring not only all I wrought
Into the faltering words of speech,
I dedicate the song I sought.
Yet could not reach.
All her life Miss Elizabeth Dwarris had been a sore trial to her relations. Awoman of means, she ruled tyrannously over a large number of impecuniouscousins, using her bank balance like the scorpions of Rehoboam to chastisethem; and, like many another pious creature, for their souls’ good makingall and sundry excessively miserable. Nurtured in the Evangelical ways currentin her youth, she insisted that her connections should seek salvation accordingto her own lights, and with harsh tongue and with bitter gibe made it herconstant business to persuade them of their extreme unworthiness. She arrangedlives as she thought fit, and ventured not only to order the costume andhabits, but even the inner thought of those about her; the Last Judgment couldhave no terrors for any that had faced her searching examination. She invitedto stay with her in succession various poor ladies who presumed o