Of course you've put the rent up?"

"No, I haven't, Sam," said Mrs Jenkles. "I've--"

"Asked only the same. Why, our rooms is a palace to theirs--not as I
ever see a palace to know."

"They're smaller, Sam," said Mrs Jenkles.

"Precious little," said Sam. "Well, you've offered 'em at six bob, eh?
Well, you are a nice one; and doing their work, too!"

"No, Sam, dear, I told them they could have them for five shillings a
week."

"Five!" shouted Sam.

"Yes, dear," said Mrs Jenkles, pitifully; "don't be cross, dear. They
said they wouldn't take them."

"That's a comfort," said Sam.

"But," exclaimed Mrs Jenkles, hurriedly, "I persuaded them to come. I
told them that they would be saving half a crown a week, and that in
twelve weeks they would have paid off the thirty shillings you lent
them, and they're coming."

"And how many more weeks will it take to pay off the money you lent
them?" said Sam, facing round sharply.

"Only three, dear; it was only seven and sixpence, Sam."

"You'll ruin me," said Sam. "You know as we're as poor as can be," he
went on, with his eyes averted from her.

"No, Sam, we're not; for we've a comfortable home, and we always save a
little."

"And you go and make jellies and give away."

"How did you know that?" said Mrs Jenkles, sharply.

"Ah! you women can't go on long in your wicked ways without being found
out," said Sam. "I heerd on it."

"The poor child was dying, same as our poor little Dick was, Sam, and--
and--"

Sam turned his head farther away.

"And now you invite poor people to come, as 'll never be able to pay
their bit o' rent; an' the end on it all 'll be the workus."

"Oh, Sam; pray, pray, don't! Do I deserve all this?" and the poor woman
burst out sobbing.

"God bless you! no, old lady," cried Sam, pulling her on to his knee,
and giving her a sounding kiss, as she laid her head upon his shoulder.
"It 'll all come right in the long run; see if it don't. Life aint
worth having if you can't do, a bit o' good in it."

"Then you really aint cross with me, Sam?"

"Not a bit," said Sam. "Look at me. Sally, my old gal, it's my belief
as them angels as takes the toll at the gate up above in the shiny way
'll let you go through free."

"Sam!" cried Mrs Jenkles, trying to lay her hand on his mouth.

"And look here, old lady," he continued, stroking her face; "when that
does come off, which I hope it won't be for scores o' years to come, you
keep we