would write
to you immediately and ask you to come home. My darling, it
would be better for us both to starve at home than for you to
run the risks which he has hinted at.

"But to come to the real object of this letter. I am five
pounds short, my dear Florry--I had five pounds in my pocket,
two of which I had received unexpectedly, and three from my
very, very tiny income. Sukey and I were going to have quite a
little turn-out--a nice tea-party; but fortunately, most
fortunately, Providence prevented my ordering the buns and
cakes, or sending out the invitations, and when I came in my
money was gone. Of course it was not the little man, so do not
point your suspicions at him. Somebody robbed the widow. Oh,
what a judgment will yet fall upon that head!

"Dear Flo, I know you have something by you--how large a sum
you have never confided to your poor mother. Will you lend me
five pounds, darling, and send it at once? Quarter-day is
coming on, and I have several things to meet. Do not hesitate,
my love: it shall be returned to you when I get my next
allowance.

"I will write to you later on with regard to your coming back
to Dawlish. In the meantime think of your poor mother's
distress, and do your utmost for her."

Florence let the letter drop from her hands. She sat before her frugal
board, and slowly and listlessly raised her cup of tea to her lips.

"I seem to be pushed gradually nearer and nearer the edge," she said to
herself. "What possessed mother to lose that money? Of course the man
was a thief. Mother is so silly, and she really gets worse as she grows
older. Dear little Mummy, I love her with all my heart; but her want of
common-sense does try me sometimes."

The day was going to be a particularly hot one. There was a mist all
over the horizon, and the breeze was moving languidly.

Florence had her window wide open, and was wondering how she could live
through the day. To-day was Saturday. To-morrow she would have a
pleasant time. She looked forward to meeting Maurice Trevor more than
she dared to admit to herself. She wondered what sort of woman his
mother was.

"At any rate," she said to herself, "he is nice. I like him, and I am
sure he likes me, and we shall enjoy ourselves on Hampstead Heath. It
won't be so hot there; it will be a little bit of the country. I must
send mother the five