work, without putting up with
the insults of a--of a--a--"

"Set of cads, ma," said the lad.

"Yes, my boy--cads," said Mrs Thorne, getting rid of the word with no
little show of distaste.

"I think, mamma, that out of respect to Mr Geringer, who has been so
kind to us, you ought to write to Percy's employer."

"Haven't got an employer now, so you can't write to him," said the boy
sharply. "Nice sort of a welcome, this, from one's own sister. If I'd
known it was coming to this, I'd have jolly soon gone down Charles
Street."

"Charles Street! Oh, my dear Percy, pray, pray don't think of going
there!" cried Mrs Thorne. "What is going down Charles Street?"

"Going to enlist, mamma--taking the shilling."

"Oh, my boy!--oh, Percy!"

"Well, what's the good of coming down here to have your own sister turn
dead against you, like the confounded cads at the office."

"I do not turn against you, Percy," said Hazel; "but I cannot help
thinking there is something wrong."

"That's right; go it. Nice opinion you've got of your brother.
Something wrong, indeed! Why, what do you suppose is wrong?"

"For shame, Hazel! How dare you!" cried Mrs Thorne. "It is cruel to
him, and an insult to me. Why do you think such things of your poor
orphaned brother? If your father had been alive, you would never have
dared to speak so harshly. Oh, Hazel, Hazel, you make my life a burden
to me, indeed, indeed."

"My dear mother, those words are uncalled for. I only asked Percy for
some explanation of his conduct. We have had no warning of this; not
one of his letters has hinted at the possibility of his leaving his
situation; but we do know that he has been extravagant."

"Go it," cried Percy sulkily; and he began to rummage in his pockets.

"Really, Hazel, I think he has managed on very little," said Mrs Thorne
indignantly.

"I differ from you, mother; for I had hoped that my brother would have
striven to help us, and not found himself compelled to drain our
resources more and more."

"Look here," cried Percy, "I sha'n't stand this. There's plenty more
posts to be obtained, I dare say, and then I shall be a burden to no
one."

"Don't talk like that, my dear," cried Mrs Thorne. "Hazel is only a
little tired and cross, and she'll be as different as can be, when she
has had her meal. There, I won't be angry with you, my dear; sit down
and have some tea. Poor Percy was nearly starved, and I got some ready
for him myse