The light in these kitchens, then, is
generally of the* dim, religions order. It
suits the scene. The people who are sit
ting on the long lorms at tin table, or
crouching t ugether before the dull red
fire, would, some of them, look hideous in
the lull light of day. In the red glow
that the tiie throws on them, -is they sit
iu the eia-keiied room, they look almost
picturesque.
The workmen who live in these lodging
houses are not home yet. They will come
in about (! o’clock. There v.ill not lie
many iu this house because it is a low
house that is to say, it is a house fre
queuted by tramps and loafers and shady
customers, and moreover it is a “family
house,” and that means women and child
ren to disturb the harmony of ilie even
ing in the common kitchen. The fact
that these common lodging houses, where
beds are let out at a tourpence a night,
are largely patronized by workmen in r-g
ular employment may astonish people
who are not behind the scenes. Bui 1
know in some of tlnse houses work.ng
men who have lived there for twelve and
sixteen years.
