"

"She ain't coming out," said Mr. Kemp. "She's going to stay at home and
mind the shop; it's the mother what's coming out. Going to spend the
evening with me!"

Mr. Wright frowned. "What did you do that for?" he demanded, hotly.

"I didn't do it," said Mr. Kemp, equably; "they done it. The old lady
says that, just for once in her life, she wants to see how it feels to
spend money like water."

"_Money like water!_" repeated the horrified Mr. Wright. "Money like--
I'll 'money' her--I'll----"

"It don't matter to me," said Mr. Kemp. "I can have a headache or a
chill, or something of that sort, if you like. I don't want to go. It's
no pleasure to me."

"What will it cost?" demanded Mr. Wright, pacing up and down the room.

The rich uncle made a calculation. "She wants to go to a place called
the Empire," he said, slowly, "and have something for supper, and there'd
be cabs and things. I dessay it would cost a couple o' pounds, and it
might be more. But I'd just as soon ave' a chill--just."

Mr. Wright groaned, and after talking of Mrs. Bradshaw as though she were
already his mother-in-law, produced the money. His instructions as to
economy lasted almost up to the moment when he stood with Bella outside
the shop on the following evening and watched the couple go off.

"It's wonderful how well they get on together," said Bella, as they
re-entered the shop and passed into the parlour. "I've never seen mother
take to anybody so quick as she has to him."

"I hope you like him, too," said Mr. Wright.

"He's a dear," said Bella. "Fancy having all that money. I wonder what
it feels like?"

"I suppose I shall know some day," said the young man, slowly; "but it
won't be much good to me unless----"

"Unless?" said Bella, after a pause.

"Unless it gives me what I want," replied the other. "I'd sooner be a
poor man and married to the girl I love, than a millionaire."

Miss Bradshaw stole an uneasy glance at his somewhat sallow features, and
became thoughtful.

"It's no good having diamonds and motor-cars and that sort of thing
unless you have somebody to share them with," pursued Mr. Wright.

Miss Bradshaw's eyes sparkled, and at that moment the shop-bell tinkled
and a lively whistle sounded. She rose and went into the shop, and Mr.
Wright settled back in his chair and scowled darkly as he saw the
intruder.

"Good evening," said the latter. "I want a sixpenny smoke for twopence,
please. H