dith, who read
the foolish scribble with mingled irritation, laughter, contempt, and
almost tears. At the end were three lines in another hand: "Judith, you
_must_ let me send you some money. If you don't understand why yet, you
will soon. You really must."

"Does he think I can't get a situation without his help?" Judith
wondered. She smiled, for she had found one. Mrs. Barton had come to her
assistance--Mrs. Barton, whose stupid little daughter Judith was still
patiently teaching. She understood the girl's wish to remain at
Brenthill: she believed in her and sympathized with her, and exerted
herself in her behalf. She brought her the offer of a situation in a
school for little boys, where she would live in the house and have a
small salary. "It won't be like Miss Crawford's, you know," the good
lady said.

"It will do, whatever it is," Judith answered.

"It is a school of quite a different class. Miss Macgregor is a woman
who drives hard bargains. She will overwork you, I'm afraid: I only hope
she won't underfeed you. You will certainly be underpaid. She takes
advantage of the cause of your leaving Standon Square, and of the fact
that you can't ask Miss Crawford for testimonials. She is delighted at
the idea of getting a really good teacher for next to nothing."

"Still, it is in Brenthill," said Judith, "and that is the great thing.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Barton. I will take it."

"She will reopen school in about ten days."

"That will suit me very well, won't it? I must pack up here, and settle
everything." And Judith cast a desolate glance round the room where she
had come with such happy hopes to begin a new life with Bertie.

Mrs. Barton's eyes were fixed on her. "I am half inclined now to wish I
hadn't said anything about Miss Macgregor at all," she remarked.

"Why? If you only knew how grateful I am!"

"That's just it. Grateful! And that schoolmistress will work you to
death: I know she will."

"She must take a little time about it," said the girl with a smile.
"Perhaps before she has quite finished I may hear of something else.
What I want is something to enable me to stay at Brenthill, and this
will answer the purpose."

Mrs. Barton stood up to go. "I've made one stipulation," she said.
"Miss Macgregor will let you come to us every Wednesday afternoon to
give Janie her lesson."

"Oh, how good you are!" Judith exclaimed. "I thought all that must be
over."

"I wish I could have you altogethe