re was over; she knew, just as well as if
George had told her, that the whole thing was a fabrication. If he had
more money, he was not getting it in his situation. His look, his
attitude, joined to the few words Lawson had said to her, made Effie
quite certain on that point. Burning words half rose to her lips, but
she checked them. She did not doubt George. She read the truth in his
eyes; what fell from his lips was nothing.

Mrs. Staunton kept on talking. "We shall have real comforts at home
now," she said. "I am, as my boy says, a wonderful manager."

"The best in all the world," interrupted George; "there never was such a
mother."

Mrs. Staunton's eyes quite shone with pleasure.

"What I was thinking was this, Effie," she continued, "that if you
really are not strong enough to go on with your work, we can now afford
to keep you at home."

"Of course we can," said George.

He had scarcely said these words, half turning his back on Effie as he
spoke, when the room door was opened by Mrs. Robinson, and Lawson was
announced.

When he saw his friend, George suddenly turned pale. He recovered
himself in a moment, however, and went forward to meet him, speaking in
a loud and bragging voice.

"Is that you, Lawson? Welcome, old chap. We did not expect you to-day,
but we are right glad to see you, of course."

"You will stay and have tea with us, won't you, Mr. Lawson?" said Mrs.
Staunton in her sweet voice.

"Yes, certainly," said Lawson.

He had given Effie his hand when he came into the room, but he scarcely
looked at her.

He sat down near Mrs. Staunton, and began to talk to her in his usual
bright way. She yielded after a moment to his charm. Lawson was a young
fellow with a great amount of general information; he had also abundance
of tact, and he knew how to suit his words to Mrs. Staunton's
requirements.

When George saw his friend talking to his mother, he went up to Effie
and stood near her.

"Come to this end of the room," he said abruptly.

Effie followed him.

"I am likely to make quite a pile of money," he said, speaking in a low
voice and glancing toward his mother. "I know you think badly of
me,--it's awfully hard on a fellow when his sister thinks badly of
him,--but, nevertheless, I am likely to be in a real good way of
business soon. And what I want to say now is this, Effie. I am anxious
to pay back that L250 which you borrowed for me."

"I wish you would," said Effie.

"Well, I d