Come into the dining-room. I have some dinner for you, and we can talk
quietly. Ada is expecting a visitor."

But Katherine could not eat until she told her adventures. First she
described her interview with Mr. Channing.

"It is something certainly to have left my unfortunate MS. in his hands;
still I dare not hope much from that," said Mrs. Liddell.

"Then, mother dear," resumed Katherine, "I ventured to do something for
which I hope you will not be angry with me--I have found John Liddell! I
have invaded his den; I have spoken to him; I have cooked a chop for
him, as I used for you last winter; and though I have been sent empty
away, I am not without hopes that he will help us out of our
difficulties."

"Katie, dear, what _have_ you done?" cried her mother, aghast. "How did
you manage--how did you dare?" Whereupon Katherine gave her mother a
graphic account of the whole affair.

"It is a wonderful history," said Mrs. Liddell. "I feel half frightened;
yet if Mr. Liddell's solicitor is an honest, respectable man, he will
surely be on our side; at the same time, I am half afraid of falling
into John Liddell's clutches. He has the character of being a relentless
creditor: he will have his pound of flesh! If he gives this money as a
loan, and I fail in paying the interest, he will take me by the throat
as he would the greatest stranger."

"Why should you fail?" cried Katherine. "You only want time to succeed.
I am sure you will sell your books, and then we can pay principal and
interest; besides, old Mr. Liddell could _not_ treat his brother's widow
as he would a stranger."

"I am not so sure."

"And you are not angry with me for going to him?"

"No, dear love; I am proud of your courage. Had I known what you
intended, I should have forbidden you. I should never have allowed you
to run the risk of being insulted: it was too much for you. I wish I
could shield you from all such trials, my Kate; but I cannot--I cannot."
The unwonted tears stood in her kind, faded eyes.

"Ah, mother, _you_ have borne the burden and heat of the day long enough
alone; I must take my share now, and I assure you, after my adventures
to-day, I feel quite equal to do so. I have been too long a heedless
idler; I want to be a real help to you now. Do you think I have done any
good?"

"Yes, certainly! but everything depends on this man who is coming
to-morrow. Your poor father used to know Mr. Liddell's solicitor, and I
think liked him;