out you?' he asked. He believed his tone to
express annoyance: in fact, it scarcely did so.

'I think it won't be very long before they can,' Emma replied; 'we have
some plain sewing to do for Mrs. Robinson at the "Queen's Head," and
she's promised to recommend us. I've just called there, and she really
seems anxious to help. If Jane was stronger I shouldn't mind so much,
but she mustn't work hard just yet, and Kate has a great deal to do with
the children. Besides, Kate can't get out of the slop sewing, and of
course that won't do for this kind of work. She'll get the stitch very
soon.'

Richard seemed to be musing.

'You see'--she moved nearer to his side,--'it's only just the beginning.
I'm so afraid that they wouldn't be able to look about for work if
I left them now. Jane hasn't the strength to go and see people; and
Kate--well, you know, Richard, she can't quite suit herself to people's
fancies. I'm sure I can do so much in a few weeks; just that'll make all
the difference. The beginning's everything, isn't it?'

Richard's eye travelled over her face. He was not without understanding
of the nobleness which housed in that plain-clad, simple-featured woman
there before him. It had shot a ray to the secret places of his heart
before now; it breathed a passing summer along his veins at this
present.

'What need is there to bother?' he said, of purpose fixing his eye
steadily on hers. 'Work 'll come in time, I dare say. Let them look
after their house.'

Perhaps Emma detected something not wholly sincere in this suggestion.
She let her eyes fall, then raised them more quickly.

'Oh, but it's far better, Richard; and we really have made a beginning.
Jane, I'm sure, wouldn't hear of giving it up. It's wonderful what
spirits she has. And she'd be miserable if she wasn't trying to work--I
know so well how it would be. Just a few weeks longer. She really does
get much better, and she says it's all "the business." It gives her
something to occupy her mind.'

'Well, it's just as you like,' said Richard, rather absently.

'But you do think it best, don't you, dear?' she urged. 'It's good to
finish things you begin, isn't it? I should feel rather dissatisfied
with myself if I gave it up, and just when everything's promising. I
believe it's what you really would wish me to do.'

'All right. I'll get the house furnished. But I can't give you much
longer.'

He continued to talk in a mechanical way for a quarter of an