more than two dollars.

"I didn't know... I haven't got that much..." she faltered, bursting into
tears.

Dr. Merkle gave a short laugh which did not show her teeth, and inquired
with concision if Charity supposed she ran the establishment for her own
amusement? She leaned her firm shoulders against the door as she spoke,
like a grim gaoler making terms with her captive.

"You say you'll come round and settle later? I've heard that pretty
often too. Give me your address, and if you can't pay me I'll send the
bill to your folks.... What? I can't understand what you say.... That
don't suit you either? My, you're pretty particular for a girl that
ain't got enough to settle her own bills...." She paused, and fixed
her eyes on the brooch with a blue stone that Charity had pinned to her
blouse.

"Ain't you ashamed to talk that way to a lady that's got to earn her
living, when you go about with jewellery like that on you?... It ain't
in my line, and I do it only as a favour... but if you're a mind to leave
that brooch as a pledge, I don't say no.... Yes, of course, you can get
it back when you bring me my money...."

On the way home, she felt an immense and unexpected quietude. It had
been horrible to have to leave Harney's gift in the woman's hands, but
even at that price the news she brought away had not been too dearly
bought. She sat with half-closed eyes as the train rushed through the
familiar landscape; and now the memories of her former journey, instead
of flying before her like dead leaves, seemed to be ripening in her
blood like sleeping grain. She would never again know what it was to
feel herself alone. Everything seemed to have grown suddenly clear
and simple. She no longer had any difficulty in picturing herself as
Harney's wife now that she was the mother of his child; and compared to
her sovereign right Annabel Balch's claim seemed no more than a girl's
sentimental fancy.

That evening, at the gate of the red house, she found Ally waiting in
the dusk. "I was down at the post-office just as they were closing up,
and Will Targatt said there was a letter for you, so I brought it."

Ally held out the letter, looking at Charity with piercing sympathy.
Since the scene of the torn blouse there had been a new and fearful
admiration in the eyes she bent on her friend.

Charity snatched the letter with a laugh. "Oh, thank you--good-night,"
she called out over her shoulder as she ran up the path. If she had
lin