fidence I
may as well tell you that I did _not_ admire your landlady Mrs. Dove."

"She is rather fond of borrowing money, certainly," said Primrose,
in a thoughtful voice, "but on the whole I believe she is
good-natured--she lends Jasmine books, and yesterday she baked a cake
herself for Daisy, and her husband brought it up to her."

"All the same," repeated Miss Egerton, "I don't admire the woman. I
have never seen the man; but I would rather you were in a nice house.
Now I have a proposal to make. I too have got some attics--they are
quite as large as Mrs. Dove's, and can soon be made as cheerful. I can
also promise you that the windows will not shake, nor will a draught
as keen as a knife come in from under the door. My attics, however, I
grieve to say, are unfurnished. Now, my dear, what do you pay at Mrs.
Dove's?"

"Twelve shillings a week," said Primrose.

"That is a great deal for such rooms; I knew you were being imposed
upon. Now, I would let you have mine for five, only somehow or other
you must contrive to help me to furnish them. I can give you a carpet
for your sitting-room, and a warm rug for your bedroom floor, and I
believe I can supply you with bedsteads and beds, and there is a
famous deep cupboard in the sitting-room, and two in the bedroom where
you could easily keep all your clothes; but do you think you could
provide the rest of the furniture? I would help you to get it as cheap
as possible and would show you how to make old things look like new;
for, my dear, I've gone through the contriving experience a long time
ago. Now what do you say to my plan? You will not be cheated, you will
be cared for, and you will be in the house of a friend--for I want to
be your friend, my dear girl."

"Oh, how kind you are!" said Primrose, her eyes glistening. "Yes, you
know how to give real help--the kind of help we girls want. I should
love your plan, but I must try and find out if we really have the
money. How much money will it take to put in very simple
furniture--just enough for us to go on with, Miss Egerton?"

"You might manage it for ten pounds, dear, perhaps even for less, if
you have that sum by you; you will soon save it in your lowered rent.
Go home, and think it over, Primrose. I know Daisy will be much, much
better in my house than at the Doves'. Go and think about it, and let
me know what you decide to-morrow."

Primrose thanked Miss Egerton, and went back to her lodgings with a
full heart.