n--"

Fearful that his situation might become more embarrassing than it was,
Warburton supported Mrs. Cross into the dining-room, and by dint of
loudly cheerful talk in part composed her. She consented to sit with
the door locked, whilst her rescuer hurried in search of a policeman.
Before long, a constable's tread sounded in the hall; Mrs. Cross told
her story, exhibited the ruins of her crockery on the kitchen floor,
and demanded instant expulsion of the dangerous rebel. Between them,
Warburton and the man in authority shook Martha into consciousness,
made her pack her box, put her into a cab, and sent her off to the
house where she had lived when out of service; she all the time weeping
copiously, and protesting that there was no one in the world so dear to
her as her outraged mistress. About an hour was thus consumed. When at
length the policeman had withdrawn, and sudden quiet reigned in the
house, Mrs. Cross seemed again on the point of fainting.

"How can I ever thank you, Mr. Jollyman!" she exclaimed, half
hysterically, as she let herself sink into the armchair. "Without you,
what would have become of me! Oh, I feel so weak, if I had strength to
get myself a cup of tea--"

"Let me get it for you," cried Warburton. "Nothing easier. I noticed
the kettle by the kitchen fire."

"Oh, I cannot allow, you, Mr. Jollyman--you are too kind--I feel so
ashamed--"

But Will was already in the kitchen, where he bestirred himself so
effectually that in a few minutes the kettle had begun to sing. Just as
he went back to the parlour, to ask where tea could be found, the front
door opened, and in walked Bertha.

"Your daughter is here, Mrs. Cross," said Will, in an undertone,
stepping toward the limp and pallid lady.

"Bertha," she cried. "Bertha, are you there? Oh, come and thank Mr.
Jollyman! If you knew what has happened whilst you were away!"

At the room door appeared the girl's astonished face. Warburton's eyes
fell upon her.

"It's a wonder you find me alive, dear," pursued the mother. "If one of
those blows had fallen on my head--!"

"Let me explain," interposed Warburton quietly. And in a few words he
related the events of the afternoon.

"And Mr. Jollyman was just getting me a clip of tea, Bertha," added
Mrs. Cross. "I do feel ashamed that he should have had such trouble."

"Mr. Jollyman has been very kind indeed," said Bertha, with look and
tone of grave sincerity. "I'm sure we cannot thank him enough."