m in
shopkeeping, if one has been brought up to it; but you haven't, and it
isn't suitable for you. About mother--yes, I think we'd better tell
her. She won't worry on account of the money; that isn't her nature,
and it's very much better that there should be confidence between us
all."

"I haven't enjoyed telling lies," said Will, "I assure you."

"That I'm sure you haven't, poor boy!--but Mr. Sherwood? Hasn't he made
any effort to help you. Surely he--"

"Poor old Godfrey!" broke in her brother, laughing. "It's a joke to
remember that I used to think him a splendid man of business, far more
practical than I. Why, there's no dreamier muddlehead living."

He told the stories of Strangwyn and of Milligan with such exuberance
of humour that Jane could not but join in his merriment.

"No, no; it's no good looking in that direction. The money has gone,
there's no help for it. But you can depend on Jollyman's. Of course the
affair would have been much more difficult without Allchin. Oh, you
must see Allchin some day!"

"And absolutely no one has discovered the secret?" asked Jane.

Will hesitated, then.

"Yes, one person. You remember the name of Miss Elvan? A fortnight
ago--imagine the scene--she walked into the shop with a friend of hers,
a Miss Cross, who has been one of my customers from the first. As soon
as she caught sight of me she turned and ran; yes, ran out into the
street in indignation and horror. Of course she must have told her
friend, and whether Miss Cross will ever come to the shop again, I
don't know. I never mentioned that name to you, did I? The Crosses were
friends of Norbert Franks. And, by the bye, I hear that Franks was
married to Miss Elvan a few days ago--just after her awful discovery.
No doubt she told him, and perhaps he'll drop my acquaintance."

"You don't mean that?"

"Well, not quite; but it wouldn't surprise me if his wife told him that
really one mustn't be too intimate with grocers. In future, I'm going
to tell everybody; there shall be no more hiding and sneaking. That's
what debases a man; not the selling of sugar and tea. A short time ago,
I had got into a vile state of mind; I felt like poisoning myself. And
I'm convinced it was merely the burden of lies weighing upon me. Yes,
yes, you're quite right; of course, mother must be told. Shall I leave
it to you, Jane? I think you could break it better."

After breakfast, Will walked into St. Neots, to have a private
conversat