, Flo, I have been ill since you saw me last. I
was almost at death's door, and Dr. Hunt was so kind, coming in two or
three times a day. But there, I have not paid his bill yet; it is
fearful to think of it! Now, I should really like to take Sir John
into my confidence. I would not ask him for the money, but I should
just tell him exactly how I am placed, with so much a year--very, very
little; a scrimped, tightened widow: that's the only way in which I can
express my condition, scrimped and tightened, nothing else. A generous
cheque from him would set all right."

"Mother, you must promise me here and now that you will say nothing on
the subject to Sir John. And, Mummy dear, that reminds me, you never
acknowledged my postoffice orders. I know I hadn't much to send you,
but what I did have I sent, and I promised that you should have ten
shillings a week, my pocket-money, until you had paid the doctor's
bill. I could do no more. Mummy dear, what is the matter? Why do you
look at me like that, Mummy?"

"I may well ask you what is the matter?" said Mrs. Aylmer, now standing
stock still in front of her daughter and raising a round, agitated face
to Florence. "Postoffice orders, and from you, Flo! Oh, my dear,
darling, precious child, I have been wondering at never hearing from
you. I wrote to tell you all about my illness--not until it was over,
Flo; as I said to myself, 'No, the child shall not be disturbed; that
Scholarship she must win. I will not tell her that her mother is ill
until her mother is out of danger.' But when the danger was past I
told you--oh, my darling, I have not had any postoffice orders from you
nor any letters whatsoever--none whatsoever, Flo, and I have been so
astonished. I have tried not to feel hurt. I am very sensible about
most things. I was sure that you did not write because you were too
busy to write, but still, in the dead of night, I did shed one or two
tears--I did really, my own pet."

"But, mother, this is too extraordinary for anything. I sent you two
postoffice orders, the first was for two pounds, the second for one.
Do you mean to say that you never got them?"

"Never, my darling; I have been robbed. Who could have done it? Oh,
Flo, this is fearful; three pounds sent to me by my own darling, and I
never to receive the money! What can it mean, Florence--what can it
mean?"

"Say no more, mother; I will see about this."

CHAPTER SIX.

TIT FOR TAT.