oughtful. They walked along. Madge
began to think she had been too ungracious.

'I suppose she tried to bring herself to it for a time,' she said, more
gently. 'She has wonderful ideas, Nan has; and I suppose she thought
she could do a deal of good as a clergyman's wife. For my part, I
don't see what she could do more than she does at present. It's just
what she's fit for. Poor people don't resent her going into their
houses as they would if it was you or I. She manages it somehow.
That's how she gets to know all about out-of-the-way sort of things;
she's practical; and people think it strange that a young lady like her
should know the ways and habits of common people; and that's why she
interests them when she talks. There's nothing wonderful in it.
Anybody can find out what the profit is on selling oranges, if you like
to go and talk to a hideous old wretch who is smelling of gin. But I
don't say anything against Nan. It's her way. It's what she was
intended for by Providence, I do believe. But she was sold that time
she wanted to get up a little committee to send a constant supply of
books and magazines to the lighthouses--circulating you know. She
wrote to Sir George about it; and found the Admiralty did that already.'

There was a strange, hopeless, tired look on this man's face. He did
not seem to hear her. He appeared to know nothing of what was going on
around him.

When they reached the door of the house, he said,--

'Good-bye!'

'Good-bye?' she repeated, inquiringly. 'I thought we were all going to
see the Exhibition of Paintings this afternoon.'

'I think I must go up to London for a few days,' he said, with some
hesitation. 'There--is some business----'

She said no more; but turned and went indoors without a word. He bade
good-bye to Edith and to Nan--not looking into Nan's face at all. Then
he left with the brother, and Mr. Tom was silent, for his friend King
seemed much disturbed about something, and he did not wish to worry him.

As for Madge, she chose to work herself into a pretty passion, though
she said nothing. That she should have been boasting of her triumph in
inducing, or forcing, him to give up that visit to Ireland only to find
him going off to London without warning or explanation, was altogether
insufferable. She was gloomy and morose all the afternoon; would not
go to see the pictures; refused to come in and speak to certain
callers; and at dinner made a little