going about some little pieces of business of that sort now," added Mr
Sharp; putting on his hat. "Did you wish to speak with me about
anything in particular, Mr Tipps?"

"Yes; I wished to ask you if that fat woman, Mrs ---, what's her name?"

"You mean Mrs Podge, I suppose?" suggested Sharp; "she who kicked her
heels so vigorously at Langrye after the accident."

"Ah! Mrs Podge--yes. Does she persist in her ridiculous claim for
damages?"

"She does, having been urged to do so by some meddling friend; for I'm
quite sure that she would never have thought of doing so herself, seeing
that she received no damage at all beyond a fright. I'm going to pay
her a visit to-day in reference to that very thing."

"That's all right; then I won't detain you longer. Good-bye, Mr
Sharp," said Tipps, putting on his hat and quitting the office.

Not long afterwards, Mr Sharp knocked at the door of a small house in
one of the suburbs of Clatterby, and was ushered into the presence of
Mrs Podge. That amiable lady was seated by the fire knitting a
stocking.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Podge," said Mr Sharp, bowing and speaking in his
blandest tones. "I hope I see you quite well?"

Mrs Podge, charmed with the stranger's urbanity, wished him good
afternoon, admitted that she was quite well, and begged him to be
seated.

"Thank you, Mrs Podge," said Mr Sharp, complying. "I have taken the
liberty of calling in regard to a small matter of business--but pardon
me," he added, rising and shutting the door, "I inadvertently left the
door open, which is quite inexcusable in me, considering your delicate
state of health. I trust that--"

"My delicate state of health!" exclaimed Mrs Podge, who was as fat as a
prize pig, and rather piqued herself on her good looks and vigour of
body.

"Yes," continued Mr Sharp, in a commiserating tone; "I have understood,
that since the accident on the railway your--"

"Oh, as to that," laughed Mrs Podge, "I'm not much the worse of--but,
sir," she said, becoming suddenly grave, "you said you had called on
business?"

"I did. My business is to ask," said Mr Sharp, with a very earnest
glance of his penetrating eyes, "on what ground you claim compensation
from the Grand National Trunk Railway?"

Instantly Mrs Podge's colour changed. She became languid, and sighed.

"Oh, sir--damages--yes--my nerves! I did not indeed suffer much damage
in the way of cuts or bruises, though there _was_ a good piece