~re fictitious，<br >ns， living or<br >States by Ballantine<br >:.， New York， and<br >House of Canada，<br >77-82761<br >Chapter 1<br >Trm fact that I had been prespiring freely for all of<br >the day and seemed to offend no one was really small<br >wonder， for from the press of unwashed bodies through<br >which I must push and wriggle my way as I went<br >about the task of eagning my living emanated an<br >odour even stronger a[ad more offensive than that<br >which came from me! But the liquor-swilling， viand-<br >guzzling customers who patronised the Grape and<br >Monkey， Cheapside， London， had better things to do<br >than waste time unnecessarily on even cursory ablu-<br >tions. The business of eating and drinking was of<br >prime importance. And when the demands of the<br >stomach were somewhat satisfied， their greasy fingers<br >could occupy themselves upon my person， pinching<br >me rudely as I leaned across the closely crowded ta-<br >bles so that I might gather together the used platters<br >and tankards before transporting them kitchenwards<br >to be cleaned.<br > "What time do you finish here， wench， and what s<br >your price?"<br > "Slip away with me for a few minutes， my lovely.<br >I ll make it worth your while."<br > Grinning faces were upturned towards mine as I<br >struggled through the thronged taproom with a heavily<br >laden tray. I wished--as I had wished so many times<br ><br >