ill die or
become insane."

"It is very strange. I should be very glad to help her, but I feel
afraid to attempt anything. I shall be so awkward. What can I say to
begin with?"

"Your offering her work would make an opening. Do try. I am sure her
case needs a woman's delicate touch."

"I will do my best," said Katherine. "It all sounds terribly
interesting. Shall I go to-morrow?"

"Yes, by all means. I am so very much obliged to you. I feel you will
succeed."

"Don't be too sure."

The next day, a drizzling damp morning, Katherine, feeling unusually
nervous, was quite ready when Bertie called for her. The drive to Camden
Town seemed very long, but it came to an end at last, all the sooner
because Bertie stopped the cab some little way way from the sweety shop.

"I have brought a young lady to see your invalid," said Bertie,
introducing Katherine to Mrs. Dodd, a short broad old lady, with a shawl
neatly pinned over her shoulders, a snowy white cap with black ribbons,
and a huge pair of spectacles, over which she seemed always trying to
look.

"I'm sure it's that kind of you, sir. And I _am_ glad you have come. The
poor thing has been offering me a nice black dress this morning to let
her stay on. It's the last decent thing she has. I expect she has been
just living on her clothes. I'll go and tell her. Maybe miss will come
after me, so as not to give her time to say no?"

Katherine cast a troubled look at Bertie. "Don't wait for me," she said;
"your time is always so precious. I dare say I can get a cab for
myself." And she followed Mrs. Dodd up a steep narrow dark stair.

"Here is a nice lady come to see you," said Mrs. Dodd, in a soothing
tone suited to an infant or a lunatic.

"No, no; I don't want any lady; I would rather not see any lady," cried
a voice naturally sweet-toned, but now touched with shrill terror.
Curiously enough, this token of fear gave Katherine courage. Here was
some poor soul wanting comfort sorely.

"Do not forbid me to come in," she said, walking boldly into the room,
and addressing the inmate with a kind bright smile. "I very much want
some needle-work done, and I shall be glad if you will undertake it."
While she spoke, Mrs. Dodd retired and softly closed the door. Katherine
found herself face to face with a ladylike-looking young woman, small
and slight--slight even to extreme thinness--fair-skinned, with large
blue eyes, delicate features, a quantity of fair hair carelessly c