Mrs Pipkin made very many apologies to her lodger for the condition of her household.  She would remain up herself to answer the door at the first sound, so that Mrs Hurtle should not be disturbed.  She would do her best to prevent any further annoyance.  She trusted Mrs Hurtle would see that she was endeavouring to do her duty by the naughty wicked girl.  And then she came round to the point of her discourse.  She hoped that Mrs Hurtle would not be induced to quit the rooms by these disagreeable occurrences.  ’I don’t mind saying it now, Mrs Hurtle, but your being here is ever so much to me.  I ain’t nothing to depend on,—­only lodgers, and them as is any good is so hard to get!’ The poor woman...