t? Will you tell
her I am quite well, and ask her to go to bed?'

'I will, darling. I have a new picture-book for you downstairs Mamma
will come and fetch it. Mamma, will you come and fetch a new book for
Minette?'

Netta looked at Howel for the first time, and seeing that his face was
tolerably pleasant, followed him out of the room, and down into the
dining-room, where his breakfast was awaiting him.

'Netta! you must make my breakfast, and have some with me. Minette is
better, and you needn't starve yourself to death,' said Howel, sitting
down at the breakfast-table.

'Thank you,' replied Netta sulkily. 'I can't eat anything, I am a great
deal too tired and wretched.'

'Netta, I am sorry I hurt you; but you do aggravate me so, and I have a
great deal on my mind.'

Netta's face brightened a little.

'Why don't you tell me what you have on your mind, instead of bullying
me from morning to night?'

'Because a woman cannot understand such matters. But if I do not get
some money this month we shall be ruined. I have asked my mother up to
see whether she will advance it, and that will depend on our treatment
of her. Will you be kind to her?'

'I suppose you will give me some of the money, if you get it, to pay
servants' wages, and other bills? I am dunned for money from morning to
night, and never have a farthing to pay.'

'I shall be able to pay everything next month. I am sure of plenty of
money.'

'And I suppose you want to get money from your mother to pay bets, or
something of the sort? Why won't you tell me?'

'Yes; I owe it to _your_ friend Dancy. Perhaps you will help me to pay
_him_.'

'He is no friend of mine. I don't like him; but he would do more for me
than you would, and is kinder too. But I don't want to be under any
obligation to him.'

'If you wish to keep a house over your head, or me out of a prison, you
must either ask him, as a personal favour, to let me off the debt, or
you must help me to get the money out of my mother.'

'Howel, I don't like underhand ways. I don't mind trying to be civil to
Aunt 'Lizbeth, provided you tell her exactly how you are situated, and
promise me never to bet with Captain Dancy, or borrow money of him
again.'

'I promise most faithfully.'

'And if you can't afford to live in this grand house, Howel, why don't
you give it up, and take to the law, or anything to get your living?
Perhaps, if you did, we should be happy again. I would rather work like
a