eeting had flushed delicately her
pale cheeks. She appealed alike to the Honourable John Ruffin's
aesthetic and protective instinct. Only her strong London accent
distressed him: he feared lest it might corrupt the speech of Pollyooly
and the Lump, which, owing to the care of their Aunt Hannah, who had
for many years been housekeeper for Lady Constantia Deeping, was that
of gentle-folk.

However, he talked kindly and sympathetically to Millicent, questioned
her about her acquirements, and gave her leave to stay.

CHAPTER VIII

THE QUESTION OF A HOME

Millicent left his presence almost dazed with relief and joy. Not only
was the imminent workhouse removed to a distance; but she herself was
transported to a sphere of astonishing luxury. She settled down in a
quiet content, only broken at rare intervals by a fit of weeping for
her dead mother. She helped Pollyooly with the work of the two sets of
chambers, displaying a considerable lack of knowledge and efficiency,
and played untiringly with the Lump.

Between their dinner and the Honourable John Ruffin's tea she and
Pollyooly hunted for work for her. Mr. Hilary Vance would have been an
ideal, unexacting employer for her; but he was on the point of going to
Paris for six months. They consulted all Pollyooly's friends; and all
of them promised to look out for work for her; but it seemed likely to
be hard to find.

The Honourable John Ruffin seeing Millicent often, watched and studied
her carefully in the hope that his mind would produce a happy thought
in the way of work for her. He perceived that she needed some well
paid sinecure.

Then one morning when Pollyooly was clearing away his breakfast, he
said:

"I have been considering Millicent, and I should be charmed to let her
stay here. You and she are such admirable foils to one another's
fairness and darkness that no cultivated eye can rest on you together
without great pleasure. But I don't think that you are doing the right
thing in trying to find her a job like your own. She couldn't keep it.
She is not a stern red Deeping like you. She is the clinging kind of
orphan, not made to stand alone."

"But perhaps I should be able to go on helping her if she got work,
sir," said Pollyooly, gazing at him with puckered brow. "I'm sure
anybody would find her very willing."

"I'm sure they would. So many people are willing. Even the Government
says it's willing. But I don't think that she is f