eplied vaguely, "No, I suppose they wouldn't. People ought to
care for looks, of course. They matter so much more than anything else,
really."

"Without goin' all that way with you, Mr. Peter," said Mrs. Johnson, "and
with all due respect to Great Minds (which I haven't got and never shall
have, and nor had my poor dear that's gone, so I'm sure I don't know
where Rhoder got her leanin's from), I will say I do like to see a young
man smart and well-kept. It means a respect for himself, not to mention
for those he takes out, that is a stand-by, at least for a mother. And
the young fellows affect the gals, too. Rhoder, now--she'd take some
pains with herself if she went out with a smart fellow, that was nicely
turned out himself and expected her to be the same. But as it is--hair
dragged and parted like a queer picture, and a string of green beads for
a collar, as if she was a Roman with prayers to say--and her waist, Mr.
Peter! But there, I oughtn't to talk like this to a gentleman, as Miss
Gould would say; (I do keep on shockin' Miss Gould, you know!) But I find
it hard to rec'lect that about you, Mr. Peter; you're so sympathetic, you
might be a young lady. An' I feel it's all safe with you, an' I do
believe you'd help me if you could."

"I should be glad to," said Peter, wondering whether it was for the
improvement of Rhoda's hair, waist, or collar that his assistance might
be acceptable.

Mrs. Johnson was looking at him very earnestly; it was obvious that
something was seriously amiss, and that she was wondering how much she
could venture to say to this sympathetic young man who might be a
young lady. She made a sudden gesture with her stout hands, as if
flinging reticence to the winds, and leant forward towards him.

"Mr. Peter ... I don't hardly like to say it ... but could you take my
gal out sometimes? It does sound a funny thing to ask--but I can't abide
it that she should be for ever with that there Vyvian. I don't like him,
and there it is. And Rhoder does ... And he's just amusin' himself, and
I can't bear it for my little gal, that's where it is.... Mr. Peter, I
hate the fellow, though you may say I'm no Christian for it, and of
course one is bidden not to judge but to love all men. But he fair gives
me the creeps, like a toad.... Do you know that feelin'?"

"Oh, yes," said Peter readily. "And of course, I should like immensely to
go out with Miss Rhoda sometimes, if she'll let me. But do you think she
wi