vation, keeping life together evidently by sewing the
hard, toilsome slop-work which he saw scattered upon the table and
chairs.

"She has been ill," said Mrs Lane, apologetically, "and has not quite
recovered. We are very much obliged to you for calling."

"Well, you see, mum," said Jenkles, "it was to set both of us right,
like--you as I didn't mean to do it, and me and my missus that you
warn't hurt. And now I'm here, mum, if you and the young lady there
would like a drive once or twice out into the country, why, mum, you've
only got to say the word, and--"

"You'll excuse me, ma'am," said the sharp voice of Mrs Sturt, laying
great stress on the "ma'am," "but my 'usban' is below, and going out on
business, and he'd be much obliged if you'd pay us the rent."

The girl looked in a frightened way at her mother, who rose, and said,
quietly--

"Mrs Sturt, you might have spared me this--and before a stranger, too."

"I don't know nothing about no strangers, ma'am," said Mrs Sturt,
defiantly. "I only know that my master sent me up for the rent; for he
says if people can afford to come home in cabs, and order cabs, and
drink port wine, they can afford to pay their rent; so, if you please,
ma'am, if you'll be kind--"

"Why, them two cabs warn't nothing to do with the lady at all," said
Jenkles, indignantly; "and as for the wine, why, that was mine--and--and
I paid for it."

"And drunk it too, I dessay," said Mrs Sturt. "Which it's four weeks
at seven-and-six, if you please, ma'am--thirty shillings, if you
please." The girl stood up, her eyes flashing, and a deep flush in her
cheeks; but at a sign from her mother she was silent.

"Mrs Sturt," she said, "I cannot pay you now; give me till Saturday."

"That won't do for my master, ma'am; he won't be put off."

"But the work I have in hand, Mrs Sturt, will half pay you--you shall
receive that."

"I'm tired on it," said Mrs Sturt, turning to the door; "p'r'aps I'd
better send him up."

"Oh, mamma," said the girl, in a low, frightened voice, and she turned
of a waxen pallor, "don't let him come here."

And she clung trembling to her arm as the retreating footsteps of Mrs
Sturt were heard, and, directly after, her vinegary voice in colloquy
with her husband.

"Here, I'll soon let 'em know," he was heard to say, roughly.

The trembling girl hid her face on her mother's shoulder; but only to
start up directly, very pale and firm, as Barney's heavy step was hea