which one might not have given her
credit, she turned her back, leaving mother and daughter sobbing in each
other's arms, while she slipped the money back in the purse, and placed
it on the chimney-piece. Her next act was to take off her bonnet and
shawl, hang them behind the door, and take up Netta's work and chair,
beginning to stitch away with a vigour that astonished the girl, as she
tore herself away from her mother, and came to resume her toil.

"No, no, my dear; I'll give you a rest while you see about a bit of
dinner; for," she said, with a cheery smile, "you'll let me have a bit
with you to-day, now, won't you? I'll try and earn it."

The girl's tears were ready to flow again, but Mrs Jenkles's finger was
shaken menacingly at her, and she turned to her mother, who rose, dried
her eyes, and came and kissed the broad, smooth forehead.

"God will bless you for this," she said, softly; and then the work went
on once more, with such sunshine in the room as had not seemed to enter
it for weeks.

"Ah!" said Mrs Jenkles, as she bit off a fresh length of thread with
her firm, white teeth. "Rents are dear up this part, I suppose."

"I pay seven and sixpence a week for this and the back room," said Mrs
Lane.

"They'd be dear at half with such furniture," said Mrs Jenkles.

There was another spell of sewing, when Mrs Lane said that she would
see about the dinner; and then, as if reading Mrs Jenkles's thoughts--

"I don't like letting Netta go out alone."

"And quite right, too, with her face," said Mrs Jenkles. "But she
looks tired. You ought to walk out every day for an hour or two."

The girl gave her a pitiful look.

So the day wore on, Mrs Jenkles taking dinner and tea with them, and
seeing that each of them partook of a hearty meal, leaving about
half-past nine with a bundle.

It was sharp work to get home before Sam should arrive from the yard;
but Mrs Jenkles managed it, had the table laid, the supper out, and the
beer fetched, before he came in, took off his shiny hat and old coat,
and seating himself began to fill his pipe.

"Well, old lady," he said, "what time did yer get back?"

"About a quarter of an hour ago," said Mrs Jenkles, as she took out
some of the work upon which she had been engaged.

Sam whistled and stared.

"What's them?" he said, pointing with his pipe at the work.

"Only some slop-work I want to finish."

Mrs Jenkles seemed so busy, that she could not look up and meet