is very fine, and will last
a long time."

"But it won't! It's a mere wisp of gauze, that will only be fit to burn
after being worn two or three times. And I should have to work for six
months to earn enough to pay for it! How shocking! What a terrible
difference there is between the lives of the rich and the poor!"

"Ah, there you have touched on a great problem! After you have had some
experience of being a working woman, you may not care to buy any more
twenty-pound dresses, even if the opportunity offers. I know that the
payment is small, but I am afraid you would find it difficult to get
more without any special knowledge or training. It is hard for you,
especially coming so soon after your taste of luxury; but if you can
face it--"

"Oh yes, indeed! I'll take it, and be thankful; and perhaps, if I do
very well and keep the books nicely, I may be worth fifty pounds next
time!" said Ruth, with a charming courage, which might well have aroused
any man's admiration.

Dr Maclure made no remark, and turned his head aside. He had a habit
nowadays of looking at other things when he was speaking to Ruth. So it
happened that while Mollie worked at home, Ruth went forth every day to
her monotonous task, trudging along the same well-known path, in sun and
rain, heat and cold--for the secretary's leave of absence had to be
prolonged--until Christmas was close at hand, and the ten pounds' salary
had doubled in value.

"I shall be able to buy myself a new mackintosh and a pair of good stout
boots," Ruth said to herself, as she trudged home one dismal December
evening, and felt a suspicious dampness in the soles of her tired little
feet.

She had no idea what a charming figure she made in her long, dark coat,
with her hair curling in wet rings about her face; for she carried no
umbrella, as her cloth toque defied the weather, and she preferred to
keep her hands free to hold her skirts from contact with the muddy
roads. The pink-and-white face, with its delicately cut features, and
straight black brows, shone out like a flower among the tired,
colourless-looking throng of workers who wended their way homeward; and
her expression was bright and alert, despite the dismal surroundings.

Ruth was surprised at her own happiness of late. Her work was dull and
monotonous, and she had few pleasures to relieve it; yet, for some
mysterious reason, she was more truly content at heart than in those
days of ease and luxur