s and bit of spangled
net were well worth the 1 shilling 9 pence, that Anastasia's had cost
more than hers.

Hole, pharmaceutical chemist: "Drops, 1 shilling 6 pence; liniment, 1
shilling; mixture, 1 shilling 9 pence," repeated many times. "Cod-liver
oil, 1 shilling 3 pence, and 2 shillings 6 pence, and 1 shilling 3 pence
again. 2 pounds 13 shillings 2 pence, with 4 shillings 8 pence
interest," for the bill was four years old. That was for Anastasia at a
critical time when nothing seemed to suit her, and Dr Ennefer feared a
decline; but all the medicine for poor Martin was entered in Dr
Ennefer's own account.

Pilkington, the shoemaker, had his tale to tell: "Miss Joliffe:
Semi-pold. lace boots, treble soles, 1 pound 1 shilling 0 pence. Miss
A. Jol.: Semi-pold. lace boots, treble soles, 1 pound 1 shilling 0
pence. 6 pair mohair laces, 9 pence. 3 ditto, silk, 1 shilling." Yes,
she was indeed a guilty woman. It was she that had "run up" _these_
accounts, and she grew red to think that her own hand should have helped
to build so dismal a pile.

Debt, like every other habit that runs counter to the common good,
brings with it its own punishment, because society protects itself by
making unpleasant the ways of such as inconvenience their neighbours.
It is true that some are born with a special talent and capacity for
debt--they live on it, and live merrily withal, but most debtors feel
the weight of their chains, and suffer greater pangs than those which
they inflict on any defrauded creditor. If the millstone grinds slowly
it grinds small, and undischarged accounts bring more pain than the
goods to which they relate ever brought pleasure. Among such
bitternesses surely most bitter are the bills for things of which the
fruition has ceased--for worn-out finery, for withered flowers, for
drunk wine. Pilkington's boots, were they never so treble soled, could
not endure for ever, and Miss Joliffe's eyes followed unconsciously
under the table to where a vertical fissure showed the lining white at
the side of either boot. Where were new boots to come from now, whence
was to come clothing to wear, and bread to eat?

Nay, more, the day of passive endurance was past; action had begun. The
Cullerne Water Company threatened to cut off the water, the Cullerne Gas
Company threatened to cut off the gas. Eaves, the milkman, threatened a
summons unless that long, long bill of his (all built up of pitiful
little pints) was p