xpected a kinder
reception. Elsie looked simple-minded enough--there was no doubt she
would be easily dealt with, and much better by speech than by letter.

"This is your maid, I suppose?"

Mrs. Phillips assented.

Mrs. Peck turned to Elsie and said, "I think as how the missis wants
some sal volatile; she looks a bit faint--she don't seem to be strong
yet."

Elsie fetched the sal volatile, and gave Mrs. Phillips a little of it,
and then returned to her work. She was puzzled at the stranger's
speaking of Mrs. Phillips's liberality--for she was not generally
liberal--and at her fumbling at her purse as if she had received money,
for she knew that Mrs. Phillips had left her purse in her bedroom.

"You must let me come and go for the few days I am to stay in
Melbourne, Betsy," said her mother.

"Oh, I'd rather give you money, if you need it--at least, all I've got."

"I fear I will need money to take me back, for I made such an effort to
get across, but I could not help it. But I won't hurt you, Betsy, and I
may do you good. What sort of girl is it that you've got?"

"Oh, a very clever milliner, and a handy girl enough. Stanley says he
thinks her pretty, but I don't see it. He makes a great fuss over both
her and her sister, but Jane is plain."

"If he says he thinks her pretty, I'd not keep her in the house if I
was you. I know what men are," said Mrs. Peck.

"I don't think you know what Stanley is," said Mrs. Phillips, with some
dignity. "I did not like it at first, but I ain't frightened now; and
besides, they are both so badly off it's quite a charity to keep them."

"If she is a milliner, I know of a capital situation," said Mrs. Peck.

"Stanley would be in a pretty state if I let her go to a situation of
your recommending," said Mrs. Phillips.

"Oh, I don't mean to meddle with your affairs; but young people are
very unwary. You think as how you're too handsome for your husband to
think of looking at another woman; but I know the world better nor
that. Howsomever, that is neither here nor there. But you know I am
risking my annuity from Mr. Phillips by coming here to see you; but I
heard in Adelaide that for the first time since you was married I might
have the chance of seeing you, without making dispeace, which is the
last thing I would wish to do. So, Betsy, if you will be reasonable,
and let me come again, as Mrs. Mahoney (an old neighbour in New South
Wales), and help me, as you say, with money to t