aid, with a laugh, to his sister, 'I hope Sykes and Naomi and Tom
Fox won't present their bills, for, to tell the truth, I've used up all
my balance, and rather more.'

'Have you paid every one else?' asked Sarah.

'Yes; and I had no idea we had such an army to wait upon us. You've no
idea what the total comes to,' said George, as he ruefully totalled it
up.

'There must be lots of money somewhere,' said Sarah vaguely.

'Ah, now you begin to understand what poverty means,' said George. 'It's
not quite so lovely, is it, after all?'

Sarah did not choose to answer this taunt, and was saved from the
necessity of doing so by the announcement that Tom Fox and Sykes the
butler were outside.

'I shall have to overdraw and realise some money,' observed George to his
sister, after he had told Naomi to show them in.

'And please, sir, they speak for me, if you'll excuse me,' said Naomi as
she ushered them into the room.

Sarah was surprised to find how disappointed and hurt she felt at this
cupidity on the part of Naomi, and she would not look at her at all.

'Ah, Sykes, you want your wages? How much will that be?' said George,
quiet and pleasant as usual.

'No, no, Mr George, I didn't come for them, sir. If you'll excuse me,
sir, and not think it a liberty, but I've a nice house, a biggish house,
though 'tis a cottage compared to Balmoral of course; but it's lying
empty, and it would be convenient to have it used, and I'm going there
myself to-night, and if you'd condescend for the next few months'----said
Sykes, with much clearing of his throat and apologetic coughs.

'That's exceedingly kind of you, Sykes,' cried George, much touched.
'Where is this house?'

'Right opposite Balmoral, on the hill, Mr George. It touches the grounds,
and what I was thinking was, you could make a gate into the grounds, and
you'd be like in your own park, same as before.'

'I know the house. It's a big one, as you say. You've made money, then,
Sykes?'

'Yes, sir; the master was always liberal, and I've saved, and done well
in investments. I'd be pleased to wait on you, same as before. And Tom
Fox here---- Why don't you speak up, Tom?' urged Sykes.

'I'd be glad to remain in your service, Mr George, and motor you down to
town, as I hear you are taking on the business. I saved the motors, all
on 'em,' said Tom.

'I don't know how to thank you, my friends, except by accepting your
offers with all my heart; and if the mills pay all