very polite to-night," thought Dorothy. However, she sat
down, ate Dick's egg and helped herself to apples with plenty of sugar,
and felt a little comforted.

At eight o'clock she went up to bed, glad the tiresome, miserable day
was at an end. She trod very softly, but her mother heard her and called
her in.

Dorothy was glad, for she spoke in her natural voice and not at all as
if she were angry.

She was still dressed and lying on the bed, but her hand, which had
frightened Dick by being so cold, was now burning.

"I spoke hastily to you, Dollie," she said. "You didn't know how
important it was. I am going to tell you now, dear, for it may be a
lesson to you."

Dorothy stood awkwardly by the bed; she didn't like her mother to
apologise, and she didn't want the lecture which she imagined was
coming.

"Father," said Mrs. Graham, "is in a very bad way indeed. I can't
explain to you all about it because you would not understand, but a
friend he trusted very much has failed him, and another friend has been
spreading false rumours about his business. If he doesn't get enough
money to pay his creditors by Saturday he must go bankrupt. Miss
Addiscombe was a friend of his long ago. She has not been kind to him
lately, and she has always been rude to me. I didn't tell father because
I knew he would not let me, but I wrote and told her just how it was,
and asked her to let bygones be bygones. I was hoping so much she would
come, and if she came she would have lent him the money. She has so much
it would mean nothing to her. Then I was disappointed in London. I
thought Mr. Meredith would have been there--he is rich too--and my
cousin, but he is not over at all: just his wife and daughter, and they
are rushing through London. They were so busy we had scarcely time to
speak. I half wonder they remembered my existence."

"Oh, mother!" protested Dorothy; and then with great effort: "You could
go over to-morrow to Miss Addiscombe, or write, mother; she would
understand."

"No, dear. It is no use thinking of it. To offend her once is to offend
her always. Besides, I am tired out, and there are only two more days. I
have told you because I didn't want it to all come quite suddenly, and
you are so wrapt up in yourself, Dollie, you don't notice the way Dick
does. If you had told me he had _passed_, Dorothy, when I came in, I
should not have felt quite so bad."

"But I didn't know, mother," said Dorothy. "Dick didn't tell me. _