‘Oh no, you’re no’.  We must hae oor sixpenceworth.  Bide or nine, onyhoo.  That’s just twenty meenits.  Here’s the acrobats; ye’ll like that.’

The acrobatic performance fascinated Gladys even while it horrified and almost made her sick.  She watched every contortion of the bodies with the most morbid and intense interest, though feeling it to be hideous all the time.  It excited her very much, and her cheeks flushed, her eyes shone with unwonted brilliance.  When it was over, she rose to her feet.

‘I’m going out, Liz.  This is a bad place; I know it is.  I’m going home.’

Liz looked up, with annoyance, at the clock.

‘It’s too bad; aichteenpence awa’ for naething, but I suppose we maun gang.  I’ve to leave mysel’, onyway, at nine.  Ye’ll bide, Teen, yersel’?’

‘No’ me.  There’s no’ much the nicht, onyway,’ answered Teen; and her weird black eyes wandered restlessly through the hall, as if looking in vain for an absent face.  So the three quitted the place in less than half an hour after they had entered it.

One of the audience watched their movements, and left the hall immediately behind them by another door.  As they moved along the busy street some one touched Liz on the shoulder, and Gladys felt her hand tremble as it lay on her arm.

‘I maun say guid-nicht here, Gladys,’ she said hurriedly, and her cheeks were aflame.  ’I’m vexed ye didna like the play.  I meant it weel.  Ye’ll see her hame, Teen?’

‘Ay,’ answered Teen, and next moment Liz was gone.

Gladys, glancing back, saw her cross the street beside a tall, broad-shouldered, handsome-looking man, though she could not see his face.

‘That’s her bean,’ said Teen, with a nod.  ’He’s a swell; that’s what for she has her best claes on.  They’re awa’ for a walk noo.  He was in the hall, but I didna see him.’

‘Is she going to be married to him?’ inquired Gladys, with interest.

’She hopes sae; but—­but—­I wadna like to sweer by it.  He’s a slippery customer, an’ aye was.  I ken a lassie in Dennistoun he carried on as far as Liz, but I’m no’ feared for Liz.  She can watch hersel’.’

A strange feeling of weariness and vague terror came over Gladys.  Day by day more of life was revealed to her, and added to her great perplexity.  She did not like the phase with which she had that night made acquaintance.  Conversation did not flourish between them, and they were glad to part at the corner of the Lane.  Gladys ran up to the house, feeling almost as if somebody pursued her, and she was out of breath when she reached the door.  Walter had returned from his first evening lesson, and great had been his disappointment to find Gladys out.  He was quick to note, when she entered the kitchen, certain signs of nervous excitement, which made him wonder where she had been.

‘It’s nearly half-past nine,’ said the old man crossly; ’too late for you to be in the streets.  Get to bed now, and be up to work in the morning.’