week ago, Mrs Sturt, that we intended to leave," said
Mrs Lane, speaking with a forced calmness, as she pressed her child's
hand encouragingly.

"And so you think a week's notice is enough after the way as we've been
troubled to get our bit of rent?" said Mrs Sturt, raising her voice.
"Are we to be left with our place empty, after harbouring a pack of
lodgers with no more gratitude than--than--than nothing?" continued the
woman, at a loss for a simile.

"I have nothing to do with that," said Mrs Lane, with dignity. "Mrs
Sturt, I have rigidly kept to the arrangement I made with you, and you
have no right to expect more."

"Oh, haven't I?" said the woman. "Do you hear that, Barney? I'll just
let 'em see!"

Barney growled, and showed his teeth.

"Lookye here," he said, hoarsely; "you aint agoing to leave here, so now
then. And you, missus," tinning to Mrs Jenkles, "you're gallus clever,
you are; but you may let your lodgings to some one else."

Netta's clutch of her mother's hand grew convulsive, and her face wore
so horrified an expression that Mrs Jenkles did not reply to the
challenge directed at her, but stepped to the poor girl's side.

"Don't you be frightened, my dear," she whispered; and then to
herself--"Why don't Sam come?"

"Mr Sturt," said Mrs Lane, firmly in voice, though she trembled as she
spoke to the fellow, "you have no right to try and force us to stay if
we wish to leave."

"Oh! aint I," said Barney. "I'll let you see about that. Here, give us
that," he said, turning to snatch a paper from his wife's hand. "Let
alone what he telled me too, about yer--"

"He! Who?" exclaimed Mrs Lane, excitedly.

Netta started from her chair.

"Never you mind," said Barney, showing his great teeth in a grin. "You
think I don't know all about yer, now, don't yer? But you're precious
mistaken!"

"But tell me, man, has any one--"

"There, there, it's all right, Mrs Lane--you've got to stop here,
that's what you've got to do. What have you got to say to that, for
another thing?"

As Barney spoke, he thrust the paper down before Mrs Lane, and went on
smoking furiously.

"What's this? I don't owe you anything," said Mrs Lane, whose courage
seemed failing.

"Don't owe us anything, indeed!" said Mrs Sturt, in her vinegary voice;
"why, there's seven pun' ten, and seven for grosheries!"

"Oh! this is cruel as it's scandalous and false!" cried Mrs Lane, in
reply to Mrs Jenkles's look. "I do not