he girls? I say"--his face lit up with the
boyish smile--"it would be a chance to buy them some clothes. Would you
do it? Miss Brown has no taste. It's been one of my trials. My girl
was so dainty. A pretty hat apiece, and a frock, and stockings to
match--that wouldn't break the bank, would it? Do you think five
pounds--"

I waved a protesting hand.

"Heaps! Heaps! Leave it to me. I'll make them as pretty as pictures.
When--er--when I was young, I was fond of dress. I was considered to
have good taste."

He smiled at me in the kind, forbearing manner in which people do smile
at elderly women who exploit their own youth, and said vaguely:--

"Yes, I am sure--I am quite sure. Well, I must be off. Thank you for
all your kindness."

He departed, but the very next night the maid brought a message to ask
if Miss Harding had a thermometer. If so, would she be so very kind as
to take Billie's temperature, as he seemed restless and feverish? I
draped myself in the Paisley shawl in which I flatter myself I look my
plainest and most ancient, ran upstairs, and was shown into Billie's
bedroom. He was sitting up in his cot, looking so pretty with his
dishevelled golden curls, his big bright eyes, and the fever flush on
his cheeks. I guessed 102 at sight; but it was worse than that--close
on 103. I gave the thermometer the professional shake, looking, as I
felt, pretty serious and troubled, whereupon Miss Brown took alarm at
once, being evidently the useful kind of woman who loses her head in
illness.

"Is he going to be ill? I don't understand poultices and fomentations;
couldn't take the responsibility! As things are, there is more work
than I can get through. I hope you will tell Mr Thorold that if Billie
is going to be ill, it is absolutely necessary to have help."

I calmed her, and went into the dining-room to report. The air was full
of smoke, and Mr Thorold was sitting at one side of the fireplace,
talking to another man who was facing him from another big leather
chair. They both sprang up at my entrance, and Mr Thorold said:--

"This is my friend, Mr Hallett, of whom I spoke to you lately. We are
discussing the possibility of a short trip. Edgar, this is Miss
Harding, a very kind neighbour. She has come up on an errand of mercy
to see one of the babies, who is a bit off colour. How do you find the
small man, Miss Harding?"

He was not a bit anxious. In the interest of the talk with an o