oorway. "Mr. Liddell has sent me to look for you. He is very
ill. Why did you not answer the bell?"

"Because I was going away to mother," cried the girl, bursting into
tears. "I could not stay here by myself. Mr. Liddell is more like a wild
beast than a man when he is angry, and I have had a night and a day as
would frighten a policemen. I can't stay--I can't indeed, miss."

"But you _must_," said Katherine, impressively. "I am Mr. Liddell's
niece, and at least you must do a few things for me before you go."

"Oh! if you are here, miss, I don't mind. I can't think as how you are
Mr. Liddell's niece."

"I am, and I must not leave him till he is better. What is your name?"

"Susan, ma'am."

"Well, Susan, is there any bread or anything in the larder?"

"Not a blessed scrap, miss, and I _am_ so hungry"--a fresh burst of
tears.

"Don't cry. Do as I bid you, and then you had better ask your mother to
come here. Now get me some fresh water."

"There's only water in the tap; the filterer is broke."

"Well, give me a jugful. And are you too hungry to make up the fire?"

"I'll manage that, 'm; we had a hundred of coal in yesterday morning
before the row."

"Then clear away the ashes and get as clear a fire as you can. I will
get some food."

The desperate, deserted condition of the old man seemed to rob him of
his terrors, and all Katherine's energy was roused to save him from the
ill effects of his own fury. She hastened back to the dining-room. Mr.
Liddell was sitting up, grasping the arms of his chair.

"There is nothing downstairs. Will you allow me to go and buy you some
food? You will be ill unless you eat."

"Can't that child fetch what is needful?" he said, with an effort.

"I am afraid she may not return."

"Then you had better go. I'll open the door to you when you come back."

"I will go at once. But you must give me a little money. I would gladly
pay for the things, but I have only my omnibus fare back."

"How much do you want?" he returned, drawing forth an old worn green
porte-monnaie.

"If you will be satisfied with a chop, two shillings will get all you
want," said Katherine.

"There, then; bring me the change and account," he returned, handing her
the required sum.

Since her mother had become a housekeeper Katherine had done a good deal
of the marketing and household management, and had put her heart into
her work, as was natural to her. She therefore felt quite competent to
make the