ernity to those who were
present. 'There's sommat in it.' And without another word he rose from
the table.

'Oh Mrs Clay, what have I done? I'd no business to speak to Mr Clay like
that. I don't know what made me,' said Horatia, rather ashamed of her
plain speaking.

'I think the Almighty made you, my dear; an' may He bless you for 'avin'
done so, an' bless the words to my dear 'usband,' said his faithful wife.
And she, too, left the room.

'I'd no idea you were religious,' said Sarah to Horatia when they were
alone.

'Do you mean you thought I was a heathen?' demanded Horatia with a laugh.

'No; but I never heard you talk like that before,' said Sarah, who could
not get over her surprise at the way Horatia had come out. Truth to tell,
Sarah had an idea that to talk religion was not good form.

'I never heard myself,' laughed Horatia.

CHAPTER XII.

A RINKING-PARTY.

In spite of Horatia's laugh and her attempt to be as cheerful as ever,
depression seemed to have fallen on every one, and Sarah looked the
picture of melancholy.

'We'd better go and get ready for our rink-party. I expect everybody will
be thankful to have something to do this horrid weather. Not that I mean
that they will have accepted your invitation for that reason,' Horatia
added hastily.

'Oh, they come because we're rich, of course,' said Sarah; and then she
suddenly added, as if it were weighing on her mind, 'I wonder how many
would come if we were to lose all our money. Would you, Horatia?'

'Thank you for the compliment. No, I don't think I should; but I should
not stay away because you were poor, but because you are not what I
thought you were--your character, I mean,' said Horatia, who could speak
her mind at times, as will have been noticed.

'You would be the exception if you did stick to us. I expect Uncle
Howroyd will, and Naomi, and she will have to be our general servant,'
continued Sarah.

Horatia gazed at her in amazement. 'What in the world are you talking
about? How are you going to get poor? Oh,' as a thought struck her, 'is
there anything the matter? Do you know, to-day I thought there was. Tell
me, is there? Because, if so, I don't mean what I said. Of course I will
come and see you, and help to cook, too. I can make toffee.'

But instead of answering, Sarah demanded, 'Why did you think there was
something the matter to-day of all days, when father has just shown you
how much money he can spend merely for