ty years; he might be able to help her in this
critical moment of her fate, Having made up her mind so far, the little
woman fell asleep.

When she heard at an early hour the following morning that Alison was
still fully resolved to seek for a new situation, she suggested that
she should call at the shop in Regent Street, see the manager, and
explain to him as best she could that it was out of Grannie's power to
do any more needlework.

"You had best go," said Grannie, looking up at the girl with her bright
blue eyes, and a determined expression steeling her sweet old mouth
almost to sternness. "Jest see the manager, Mr. Squire, and tell him
the simple truth. Take him back this underclothing; it is finished
beautiful all but the feather-stitching. I know he'll be put out, but
I suppose he'll give me half pay--o' course, I don't expec' more. Ef
that cambric had been properly feather-stitched there was thirty
shillings to be got on it; but I'll be glad of fifteen, and you can let
Mr. Squire know. I am pleased that Dave knows the stitch, for he can
teach it to his wife when he gets one. He have promised, dear lad;
there's a fortin' in it yet, for a member of the fam'ly wot _hasn't_
learned handwriting. It's them schools wot are at the bottom of all
this trouble, Alison. Talk of edication! My mother, wot was a Simpson
by birth, could only put a cross agin her name, but Lor', wot a fine
woman she was with sprigs!--we called the beginning of the
feather-stitching sprigs in them days. It was she invented sprigs, and
she had no writers' cramp, nor a chance o' it, bless her! Now then,
dearie, run off, and bring me back the fifteen shillings. We'll try to
keep up 'eart till after Christmas Day."

Alison was very silent and depressed, but she promised to do exactly as
her grandmother wished in the matter of the feather-stitching; and with
the cambric made up into a neat parcel she soon left the little flat.

Grannie sighed deeply when she saw her go. The little woman felt that
she had burned her boats; there was no going back on anything now. She
had severed with her own hands her best connection, and nothing could
ever be the same again. A sort of agony came over her as she heard
Alison running downstairs, a fierce desire to call her back, to beg of
her not to go to Mr. Squire at all that day; but one glance at the
swollen, useless hand made her change her mind. She sat down limp on
the nearest chair, and one