and
left all his money to hospitals and things, how awfully stupid that
would be! I told him I should leave the school, and he didn't turn a
hair. He's a dear, and I don't care a fig for his money--except to spend
it for him. His tiny house is simply lovely, terrifically clean, and in
the loveliest order. But I've no intention that we shall stay here. I
think I shall take a large house up at Hillport. Uncle is only old in
some ways; in many ways he's quite young. So I hope he won't mind a
change. By the way, he told me about your age. My dearest mother, how
could you--" etc.

In such manner came Helen Rathbone to keep house for her
great-stepuncle.

CHAPTER IX

A GREAT CHANGE

"Helen Rathbone," said Uncle James one Tuesday afternoon, "have ye been
meddling in my cashbox?"

They were sitting in the front room, Helen in a light-grey costume that
cascaded over her chair and half the next chair, and James Ollerenshaw
in the deshabille of his Turkish cap. James was at his desk. It is
customary in the Five Towns, when you feel combative, astonished, or
ironic towards another person, to address that other person by his full
name.

"You left the key in your cashbox this morning, uncle," said Helen,
glancing up from a book, "while you were fiddling with your safe in your
bedroom."

He did not like the word "fiddling." It did not suit either his dignity
or the dignity of his huge Milner safe.

"Well," he said, "and if I did! I wasn't upstairs more nor five minutes,
and th' new servant had na' come! There was but you and me in th'
house."

"Yes. But, you see, I was in a hurry to go out marketing, and I
couldn't wait for you to come down."

He ignored this remark. "There's a tenpun' note missing," said he.
"Don't play them tricks on me, lass; I'm getting an oldish man. Where
hast hidden it? I mun go to th' bank." He spoke plaintively.

"My dear uncle," she replied, "I've not hidden your ten-pound note. I
wanted some money in a hurry, so I took it. I've spent some of it."

"Spent some of it!" he exclaimed. "How much hast spent?"

"Oh, I don't know. But I make up my accounts every night."

"Lass," said he, staring firmly out of the window, "this won't do. I let
ye know at once. This wunna' do." He was determined to be master in his
own house. She also was determined to be master in his own house.
Conflict was imminent.

"May I ask what you mean, uncle?"

He hesitated. He was not afraid of her. But he wa