ring under her breath, "wot an evil world
it is! To think of a young innocent thing being crushed in that sort
of cruel way! Wot do it mean? Of course things must be set right.
I'll insist on that. I aint a Reed for nothing. The Reeds are
well-born folks, and my own people were Phippses, and they were
well-born too. And as to the luck o' them, why, 'twas past tellin'.
It don't do for one who's Phipps and Reed both, so to speak, to allow
herself to be trampled on. I'll soon set things straight. I've got
sperrit, wotever else I aint got."

She reached Shaw's establishment at last. It was getting well into the
afternoon, and for some reason the shop was more full than usual. It
was a very cheap shop and a very good one--excellent bargains could be
found there--and all the people around patronized it. Alison was
missed to-day, having a very valuable head for business. Shaw, the
owner of the shop; was standing near the doorway. He felt cross and
dispirited. He did not recognize Mrs. Reed when she came in. He
thought she was a customer, and bowed in an obsequious way.

"What can I serve you with, madam?" he said. "What department do you
want to go to?"

"To none, thank you, sir," answered Mrs. Reed. "I have come to see Mr.
Shaw. I'll be much obleeged if I can have a few words with him."

"Oh, Mr. Shaw! Well, I happen to be that gentleman. I am certainly
very much occupied at present; in fact, my good woman, I must trouble
you to call at a less busy time."

"I must say a word to you now, sir, if you please," said Mrs. Reed,
raising her eyes and giving him a steady glance. "My name is Reed. I
have come about my grandchild."

"Oh," said the owner of the shop, "you are Mrs. Reed." His brow
cleared instantly. "I shall be pleased to see you, madam. Of course
you have come to talk over the unpleasant occurrence of this morning.
I am more grieved than I can say. Step this way, madam, if you please."

He marched Grannie with pomp through the crowd of customers; a moment
later she found herself in his private office.

"Now," he said, "pray be seated. I assure you, Mrs. Reed, I greatly
regret----"

"Ef you please, sir," said Grannie, "it is not to hear your regrets
that I have come here. A great wrong has been done my granddaughter.
Alison is a good girl, sir. She has been well brought up, and she
would no more touch your money than I would. I come of a respectable
family, Mr. Shaw. I come of a