VI
The place was the door of Jude's lodging in the out-skirts of
Christminster--far from the precincts of St. Silas' where he had
formerly lived, which saddened him to sickness. The rain was coming
down. A woman in shabby black stood on the doorstep talking to Jude,
who held the door in his hand.
"I am lonely, destitute, and houseless--that's what I am! Father has
turned me out of doors after borrowing every penny I'd got, to put it
into his business, and then accusing me of laziness when I was only
waiting for a situation. I am at the mercy of the world! If you
can't take me and help me, Jude, I must go to the workhouse, or to
something worse. Only just now two undergraduates winked at me as I
came along. 'Tis hard for a woman to keep virtuous where there's so
many young men!"
The woman in the rain who spoke thus was Arabella, the evening being
that of the day after Sue's remarriage with Phillotson.
"I am sorry for you, but I am only in lodgings," said Jude coldly.
"Then you turn me away?"
"I'll give you enough to get food and lodging for a few days."
"Oh, but can't you have the kindness to take me in? I cannot endure
going to a public house to lodge; and I am so lonely. Please, Jude,
for old times' sake!"
"No, no," said Jude hastily. "I don't want to be reminded of those
things; and if you talk about them I shall not help you."
"Then I suppose I must go!" said Arabella. She bent her head against
the doorpost and began sobbing.
"The house is full," said Jude. "And I have only a little extra room
to my own--not much more than a closet--where I keep my tools, and
templates, and the few books I have left!"
"That would be a palace for me!"
"There is no bedstead in it."
"A bit of a bed could be made on the floor. It would be good enough
for me."
Unable to be harsh with her, and not knowing what to do, Jude called
the man who let the lodgings, and said this was an acquaintance of
his in great distress for want of temporary shelter.
"You may remember me as barmaid at the Lamb and Flag formerly?" spoke
up Arabella. "My father has insulted me this afternoon, and I've
left him, though without a penny!"