peak out; and if William Forth Burge can help
you through with it, you may feel that it's as good as done. Suppose I
try a bit of a guess--just to help you like. Now, is it money? Don't
be offended at my saying so, but is it money, now?"

"It is about money," faltered Hazel, making an effort.

"I thought so," he said, brightening up and rubbing his hands softly.
"Then don't you worry a bit more, my dear; for my sister Betsey's got
lots of money saved up, and there's nothing wouldn't please her better
than putting your bit of trouble all right for you."

"I must explain to you, Mr Burge," said Hazel.

"Oh, I don't know," he said gently. "It might hurt you, perhaps; and,
dear heart alive! why should you make yourself miserable about such a
thing as money! Now, just you look here, my dear Miss Thorne. I'm
going straight home, and I'll send down my sister Betsey, and you just
say offhand to her what will put it straight--fifty, or a hundred, or
two hundred, or whatever it is--and she'll have it in her ridicule, and
the job's done. There, I shall make you cry if I stay, and I don't want
to do that, you know. Good-bye. God bless you!"

He had started up, and was standing, hat in hand, holding out his hand
to her, which she took and held while she tried to speak.

"No, no, Mr Burge," she said at last. "Let me tell you all."

"To be sure you shall," he said soothingly. "There, there! don't be
afraid to speak to me, my dear.--Just you say to yourself, `William
Forth Burge is an old friend of mine, and I'd trust him with anything,
and he's just the man to go to when I'm in trouble.'"

"You are very kind," faltered Hazel, fighting hard to be brave. And at
last she told him the story of her brother's lapse.

"The young dog!" he cried angrily; and his voice was raised. "How dare
he do such a thing, and disgrace you and his mamma? I--I could thrash
him well."

"It is so terrible--so shocking a thing. I don't know what to do, Mr
Burge. I feel so helpless: for the people, his employers--seemed to
hint at prosecution."

"Is--is he in there?" whispered Mr William Forth Burge, winking one eye
and pointing with his thumb at the door.

"Yes; he is in the next room," replied Hazel.

"I shouldn't wonder a bit," said the visitor very loudly. "I should say
they are sure to prosecute and put him in prison."

The moment after he nodded and frowned and winked at Hazel.

"Let's frighten him a bit," he whispered. "