unt was sure and certain to get into one of those almshouses she might
do a good turn to you, Susy; and she's sure and certain to help Tom a
little. But there! we can't look into the future. I am tired out with
one thing and another. Susan, my dear child, where did you get that
beautiful pale-blue blouse?"

"I didn't get it through theft, mother, if that's what you are thinking
of. I got it honestly, and I am not obliged to tell; and what's more, I
won't tell."

Mrs. Hopkins sighed.

"Dear, dear!" she said, and she sat down in the easy-chair which Mrs.
Church had occupied and stared into the fire.

"I am not nearly as low-spirited as I was," she said after a pause. "If
Miss Kathleen will do something for Aunt Church, it stands to reason
that Aunt Church won't be hard on us."

Susy made no answer to this. She stood quiet for a minute or two, and
then she went slowly upstairs. She removed the beautiful blouse and put
on a common one. She then wrapped herself in an old waterproof
cloak--for the sunshiny morning had developed into an evening of thick
clouds and threatening rain--and went downstairs.

"Where in the world are you going?" said her mother in a fretful tone.
"I did think you'd sit quietly with me and learn your collect. If you
are going out, it ought to be to church. I don't see what call you have
to be going anywhere else on Sunday evening."

"I want to see Ruth Craven. Don't keep me, please; it is very
important."

"But I don't know who Ruth Craven is."

"Oh, mother, I thought every one knew her. She is the very, very pretty
little granddaughter of old Mr. Craven, who lives in that cottage close
to the station."

"A handsome old man, too," said Mrs. Hopkins, "but I confess I don't
know anything about him."

"Well, he and his old wife have got this one beautiful grandchild, and
she has joined the foundationers at the Great Shirley School. Miss
Kathleen O'Hara has taken up with her as well as with me and other
foundation girls, and instead of having a miserable, dull, down-trodden
life, we are extremely likely to have the best life of any girls in the
school. Anyhow, I have a message for Ruth and I promised to deliver it."

"All right, child; don't be longer away than you can help."

Susy left the house. The distance from her mother's shop to the Cravens'
cottage was a matter of ten minutes' quick walking. She soon reached her
destination, walked up the little path which led to the tiny cottage,