se in which Katy's mother lived. He collected her
rents, and transacted all her business; and as far as dollars and cents
were concerned, he had certainly been a faithful servant. Dr. Flynch
was a prudent and discreet man, and did not hurt the feelings of the
good lady who employed him by telling her about the difficulties he
encountered in the discharge of his duty, or by describing the harsh
and even cruel means to which he was sometimes obliged to resort, in
order to obtain the rent of poor tenants.

"Mrs. Redburn," said Dr. Flynch, when he had heard the exclamation of
Katy, "you have told me a falsehood. You said you had no money, not a
cent. Where did you get that roll, child?"

"At the store at the corner of the court," replied Katy, abashed by the
cold dignity of the agent.

"Precisely so, Mrs. Redburn; but you do not buy bread without money.
You have attempted to deceive me. I have pitied you up to the present
time, and indulged you in the non-payment of your rent for over a week
I can do so no longer, for you have told me a falsehood."

"No, sir, I have not," pleaded the sick woman.

"Your child buys bread."

"I did not give her the money."

"Where did you get the money to buy that roll with?" demanded Dr.
Flynch, turning sharply to Katy.

"Tommy Howard gave it to me."

"Who is Tommy Howard?"

"He lives on the other side of the court."

"Very probable that a dirty, ragged boy gave her the money! This is
another false-hood, Mrs. Redburn. I lament that a person in your
situation should have no higher views of Christian morality than to lie
yourself, and teach your child to lie, which is much worse."

The poor woman burst into tears, and protested that she had told the
truth, and nothing but the truth; declaring that Katy was a good girl,
that she had eaten nothing that day, and would not tell a lie. Dr.
Flynch was a man of method, and when a tenant did not pay the rent, it
was his purpose to get rid of that tenant in the quietest way possible.
In the present case there was a difficulty, and public opinion would
not justify him in turning a sick woman out of the house; but if she
lied, had money concealed, and would not pay her rent, it would alter
the matter. As he wished to believe this was the case, he had no
difficulty in convincing himself, and thus quieting his poor apology
for a conscience.

Besides being a man of method, Dr. Flynch was a man of upright walk and
conversation; at least, he p