le from here, and the committee is always short of funds. Many of the
old residents have left, and the new ones don't--don't always."--Her
remembrance of odd sentences heard at committee meetings came to a
sudden end, and the voice trailed off in inarticulate murmurings.

"Do not always come forward in their place. Just so! And I am to
understand that you are deputed by these various charities and
organisations to plead their cause and collect subscriptions?"

Nan cleared her throat vigorously. It was the only way she could think
of by which to gain time, and decide how to evade the question.

"They are most grateful for all they can get. The committee would send
you an acknowledgment of your subscription. It would be better to send
it direct, instead of giving it to me. I just wish to call your
attention--to tell you particulars and enlist your interest--"

"Just so!" said Mr Vanburgh again; and Nan fancied that there was a
slight softening in the watching eyes. "Just so. And for what special
charity do you wish to plead to-day?"

"For the Home for Incurables!"

"Ah!" The word came with a hiss from between closed teeth. "Indeed!
You choose your object well, madam! I congratulate you on your
discretion. The cause is truly fitting."

She had made a false move this time, there was no doubt about it, for
the old man's voice was sharp with displeasure; but blundering Nan could
not even now imagine wherein lay the offence.

She gaped at him, with a stammering--

"Fitting! Why fitting? I don't understand what you mean!"

"Only that being incurable myself, I need your charity every whit as
much as those for whom you come asking help--"

"Incurable! You won't get better! Never get better until you--"

"Die? Precisely! That is what it means. I shall spend my life upon
this couch, or being wheeled about in a bath-chair, suffering torments
of pain and weariness until death comes to set me free--the kindliest
friend that could step inside my door!"

"Oh!" cried Nan sharply. "Oh!" The tears rushed to her eyes, and she
trembled from head to foot. It was terrible to listen to those words,
terrible to her youth and strength to hear death spoken of in those
yearning tones; her heart--Nan's big loving heart--went out in a rush of
sympathy towards the lonely sufferer. She stretched her hand towards
him, and cried brokenly, "I'm sorry! Oh, I'm sorry! We knew, of
course, that you were ill, but we neve