"but perhaps she did not go the right way
to work?"

"She did," said Mrs. Peck, indignantly. "I knowed her well, and heard
all about it."

This was to throw Elsie off her guard, for she did not wish to be
identified at once; but it had not the effect desired, for Elsie felt
convinced that this was the person who claimed to be Francis's mother.

Mrs. Phillips came in at this interesting poise in the conversation,
and began to give Elsie directions as to some alterations in a dress.

"There's some buttons and trimmings to get to make it up with. Alice,
you had better go to town and get them for me. You need a walk, at any
rate; I do not think you've had your walk at all regularly of late,"
said Mrs. Phillips.

"Indeed," said Mrs. Peck, "she has had no walk since here I've been,
whatever she might have had before. It's trying work sitting still all
day; I feel it myself, and all the more that I'm not used to it. If
you'd be so good as excuse me for a hour or two; I'd take it as a great
kindness if you'd let me go with Alice for a walk to do her bit of
shopping, and to show her round Melbourne a bit. If I don't know
Melbourne well, I ought to. I don't think I ever saw so good a hand as
Alice has. I think I could make her fortune, if she'd only give me a
little commission."

"Oh, I don't think Alice is inclined to leave me," said Mrs. Phillips;
"and, indeed, I am very well satisfied with her."

"But this ain't exactly her sphere. She was a telling me as she was
brought up with great expectations," said Mrs. Peck.

"She has got over her disappointment about that, I think," said Mrs.
Phillips.

"I dare say you think it shabby in me to try to entice your maid from
you; and really, after all, a comfortable home with a lady, as it must
be a pleasure to serve and to wait upon, is perhaps the best thing
after all. But as I was saying, Mrs. Phillips, I would be glad to get
out for an hour or two with Alice. I'll not do much work without her,
for I'm sure to go wrong if she is not at my elbow. There's not many
ladies so generous as you, to pay me for my blundering work; and Alice
is wonderful patient too. I don't know how to thank her for the pains
she takes with me, and I can't help being very stupid. After being used
to active life, one don't take well to this sitting still. So I'll just
put on my bonnet and shawl and go out a bit with Alice."

Mrs. Phillips did not at all like this proposal, for she had an idea
that