ee
Honest Men there'll be the very mischief of a bill for you to pay.
That was the meaning of the caution, and so the Vicar understood it.

But Mr. Fenwick, though he was imprudent, was neither unreasonable
nor unintelligent. He had told Sam Brattle that he would provide
a home for Carry, if Sam would find his sister and induce her to
accept the offer. Sam had gone to work, and had done his part. Having
done it, he was right to claim from the Vicar his share of the
performance. And then, was it not a matter of course that Carry, when
found, should be without means to pay her own expenses? Was it to be
supposed that a girl in her position would have money by her. And had
not Mr. Fenwick known the truth about their poverty when he had given
those four pounds to Fanny Brattle to be sent up to Sam in London?
Mr. Fenwick was both reasonable and intelligent as to all this; and,
though he felt that he was in trouble, did not for a moment think
of denying his responsibility, or evading the performance of his
promise. He must find a home for poor Carry, and pay any bill at the
Three Honest Men which he might find standing there in her name.

Of course he told his trouble to his wife; and of course he was
scolded for the promise he had given. "But, my dear Frank, if for
her, why not for others; and how is it possible?"

"For her and not for others, because she is an old friend, a
neighbour's child, and one of the parish." That question was easily
answered.

"But how is it possible, Frank? Of course one would do anything that
it is possible to save her. What I mean is, that one would do it for
all of them, if only it were possible."

"If you can do it for one, will not even that be much?"

"But what is to be done? Who will take her? Will she go into a
reformatory?"

"I fear not."

"There are so many, and I do not know how they are to be treated
except in a body. Where can you find a home for her?"

"She has a married sister, Janet."

"Who would not speak to her, or let her inside the door of her house!
Surely, Frank, you know the unforgiving nature of women of that class
for such sin as poor Carry Brattle's?"

"I wonder whether they ever say their prayers," said the Vicar.

"Of course they do. Mrs. Jay, no doubt, is a religious woman. But it
is permitted to them not to forgive that sin."

"By what law?"

"By the law of custom. It is all very well, Frank, but you can't
fight against it. At any rate, you can't ign