t grounds? Why, the house is an advertisement of shabbiness; the
vicar's coat is green with age, and the poor little kiddies look as if
they had come out of the ark! Mrs Thornton has pluck enough for a
dozen, or she would never keep things going as she does; but she looks
an old woman before her time."

"Then it is your deliberate conclusion that I ought to increase the
Vicar's stipend?"

Under cover of the tablecloth a little hand stole along and laid a
gentle pressure on Jack's arm. He turned and met Mollie's eyes, grave
and appealing, with no trace of the frivolity of which he had complained
earlier in the day, and, at the sight, his irritation died a sudden
death. Mollie must indeed have forgiven him when she condescended to so
sweet an intimacy. The rush of joy which accompanied the thought put
him at once at peace with all men.

"The labourer is worthy of his hire, sir," he answered quietly. "I call
Thornton a rattling good fellow, and I should like to see him relieved
of monetary troubles. It's hard lines to expect a man to be an example
of all the virtues when he is constantly wondering how to make both ends
meet. I don't set much store on money, as you know, but I should enjoy
being in the position to do a good turn to a man like that."

Mr Farrell's sunken eyes gave forth a malicious gleam.

"You speak with feeling. Perhaps you have been enjoying a foretaste of
the experience. Surely you must be the generous Unknown who contributed
the hamper of fruit of which we have heard so much during the last few
days!"

There was a simultaneous gasp of surprise round the table, and everyone
turned to stare with curious eyes at Jack's scarlet face. Scarlet, with
an embarrassment which plainly proved the truth of the accusation; with
anger, too, and thwarted self-will. His nostrils inflated in the old
haughty manner, as he replied coldly--

"I thought we were discussing Mr Thornton's income! I fail to see what
the hamper has to do with the case."

Mr Farrell gave the short, staccato sound which did service for a
laugh.

"Your pardon! It is to me a very interesting sidelight. I am indebted
to you for stepping in to make up for my deficiencies."

"It was very kind of you, Mr Melland--very, very kind! You don't know
how much pleasure it gave. I envy you for having had such a nice
thought," said Ruth earnestly. For a wonder Mollie was silent, while
Victor shrugged his shoulders, and cried, between