the bedside of a man who was dying and 'ad need of me; so
'ow could I go? But I didn't really mind; the office 'indered me in my
work.'

'But what are you going to do now?' gasped Mrs Clinton.

'I 'ave my work; that is more important than ten thousand offices.'

'But 'ow are you going to earn your living? What's to become of us?'

'Don't trouble me about those things. Come with me, and work for the
poor.'

'James, think of the children!'

'What are your children to me more than any other children?'

'But--'

'Woman, I tell you not to trouble me about these things. 'Ave we not
money enough, and to spare?'

He waved his hand, and putting on his top hat, which looked more than
ever in need of restoration, went out, leaving his wife in a perfect
agony.

There was worse to follow. Coming home a few days later, Mr Clinton told
his wife that he wished to speak with her.

'I 'ave been looking into my books,' he said, 'and I find that we have
invested in various securities a sum of nearly seven 'undred pounds.'

'Thank 'Eaven for that!' answered his wife. 'It's the only thing that'll
save us from starvation now that you moon about all day, instead of
working like a decent man.'

'Well, I 'ave been thinking, and I 'ave been reading; and I 'ave found
it written--Give all and follow me.'

'Well, there's nothing new in that,' said Mrs Clinton, viciously. 'I've
known that text ever since I was a child.'

'And as it were a Spirit 'as come to me and said that I too must give
all. In short, I 'ave determined to sell out my stocks and my shares; my
breweries are seven points 'igher than when I bought them; I knew it was
a good investment. I am going to realise everything; I am going to take
the money in my hand, and I am going to give it to the poor.'

Mrs Clinton burst into tears.

'Do not weep,' he said solemnly. 'It is my duty, and it is a pleasant
one. Oh, what joy to make a 'undred people 'appy; to relieve a poor man
who is starving, to give a breath of country air to little children who
are dying for the want of it, to 'elp the poor, to feed the 'ungry, to
clothe the naked! Oh, if I only 'ad a million pounds!' He stretched out
his arms in a gesture of embrace, and looked towards heaven with an
ecstatic smile upon his lips.

It was too serious a matter for Mrs Clinton to waste any words on; she
ran upstairs, put on her bonnet, and quickly walked to her friend, the
doctor.

He looked graver than ever when sh