Echoes of the War
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discussing the war over a cup of tea. The criminal, who is the hostess,
calls it a dish of tea, which shows that she comes from Caledonia; but
that is not her crime.
They are all London charwomen, but three of them, including the hostess, are what are called professionally 'charwomen and'
or simply 'ands.' An 'and' is also a caretaker when required; her name
is entered as such in ink in a registry book, financial transactions
take place across a counter between her and the registrar, and
altogether she is of a very different social status from one who, like
Mrs. Haggerty, is a charwoman but nothing else. Mrs. Haggerty, though
present, is not at the party by invitation; having seen Mrs. Dowey
buying the winkles, she followed her downstairs, so has shuffled into
the play and sat down in it against our wish. We would remove her by
force, or at least print her name in small letters, were it not that she
takes offence very readily and says that nobody respects her. So, as
you have slipped in, you sit there, Mrs. Haggerty; but keep quiet.
