truth."

I replied that she might hope what we did not expect. So far Eliza had
taken just exactly the tone that I wanted. But as I watched her, I saw
her expression change and her underlip pulled down on one side, as it
were.

"Well," I said rather sharply, "what is it? These people are nothing to
us."

"No. But--it reminded me--our little girl--my baby--that died. And I----"

Here she put down her knife and fork, got up, and walked to the window.
There she stood, with her back to me.

I had a mind to speak to her about the foolishness of recalling what
must be very upsetting to her. But I said nothing, and began to brush
my silk hat briskly. It was about time that I was starting for the
city.

I went out.

Then I came back, kissed Eliza, and went out again.

* * * * *

I was a little surprised to find Pagram at the office.

"I should have thought you'd have taken a day off," I said.

"Can't afford that just now," he replied, in rather a surly way.

"All well at home?"

"No."

"By my watch," I said, "that office clock's five minutes slow. What do
you make it?"

"Don't know. Left my watch at home."

I had noticed that he was not wearing his watch. Later in the day I had
some more conversation with him. He is quite my subordinate at the
office, and I really don't know why I should have taken so much notice
of him.

* * * * *

When I came back that night I was in two minds whether to tell Eliza or
not. She hates anything like extravagance, and if I told her I felt
sure she would be displeased. At the same time, if I did not tell her,
and she found it out afterward, she would be still more displeased.
However, I decided to say nothing about it. I was a little nervous on
the point, and I own that my conscience reproached me.

As I came into the hall, Eliza came down the staircase. She was dressed
for going out, and had a basket in her hand. She said: "I want you to
let me go over to the Pagrams to see if I can do anything. She and the
baby are both very ill,--the nurse has had no sleep,--they've no one
else to help them. And--and I'm going!"

"Now, do you think this is necessary, Eliza?" I began. "When you come
to consider the position we've taken up with regard to the Pagrams for
two years, and the scandalous way in which they----"

Here I stopped. The hall door was shut, and Eliza had gone, and it was
not worth w