n he had taken a drop too much, but she had spoken of it as being
absolutely in the past. Being the kind of woman she was, she wouldn't
have said even that, had it not been that Piper had got disgracefully
drunk within a week of his master's death. She had been very much
frightened then, though not too frightened to stay, herself, within
hail of the man till he had come round, and to make him a cup of strong
coffee. When, at last, he was fit to do so, he had uttered broken words
of gratitude, really touched at her kindness, and frightfully ashamed of
himself.

Lying there, wide awake, in the darkness and utter stillness of
Beechfield village, Enid Crofton reminded herself that she had treated
Piper very well. In memory of the master whom he had served she had also
given him, before selling off her husband's kennel, two prize-winners.
But it is sometimes a mistake to be too kind, for on receiving this last
generous gift the man had hinted that with a little capital he could set
up dog-breeding for himself! She had had to tell him, sadly but firmly,
that she could not help him to any ready money, and Piper had been what
she now vaguely described to herself as "very nice" about it, though
obviously disappointed.

At the end of their little chat, however, he had said something which had
made her feel rather uncomfortable:--"I was wondering, ma'am, whether
Major Radmore might perhaps be inclined for a little speculation? I
wouldn't mind paying, say, up to ten per cent, if 'e'd oblige me with
a loan of five hundred pounds."

She had been astonished at the suggestion--astonished and unpleasantly
taken aback. He had surprised her further by going on:--"I believe as
what the Major is coming 'ome soon, ma'am. Perhaps then I might venture
to ask you to say a word for me? Major Radmore was known in the regiment
as a very kind gentleman."

"I'll do what I can, Piper." She had said the words with apparent
earnestness, but, deep in her heart, she had thought the request totally
unreasonable.

And now it was this conversation which came back to her as she moved
restlessly about in her bed. She wondered uneasily whether she had made
a mistake. Her capital was very small, and she was now living on her
capital, but after all, perhaps it would have been wiser to have given
Piper that L500. She was quite determined not to mix up Piper with
Godfrey Radmore, but she had a queer, uncomfortable feeling that she had
not done with this man