She washed pots and floors at the Great Turk public house and was paid fourpence for her labours (the landlord, Mr Minton, was a generous man). In the evening, at eight o’clock, she returned, washed more pots and floors, and remained until ten, receiving a further fourpence. Eightpence per day, six days per week. On the seventh she rested. Her daughter, taken very bad a while ago, was listened for by neighbours. If the weather was fine she sat out in the afternoon. If it was not, she sat in. She was put to bed early and never wakened. If anyone thought to, they called in and saw that she was not wanting. It was easy to discover anything with a pocket full of pennies and a charming manner. So I lingered in the not-so-salubrious district of Lower Marlpool-street, keeping as inconspicuous as a gent could, until Mrs Strong’s figure disappeared into the Great Turk. Then, trying not to seem in a hurry, I arrived in Duchess-court just as a cheerful little woman was coming out, and without any hesitation or even surprise, she pointed me to the right house and even offered to open the door!
