call any forenoon between eleven and one, an interview would be satisfactory.
"Mrs. Captain Drummond."
"There," said Christy, "will that do? She must have risen from the ranks, I think; but there are plenty to pick and choose among, and the terms vary from the highest, one hundred and twenty pounds per annum, to the lowest, five shillings per week, which seems moderate. It is useful to know these things."
"Yes, and then you will be able to judge whether I impose on you or not." I was wanting to read to her the advertisements about the runaway young lady. I could have been sure they referred to her, only her bonnet was blue—unmistakably blue: very pretty it looked on the top of her fair hair and complexion. She had the gray cloak and the chinchilla muff, but these were what hundreds of young ladies wore; and the bonnet—the most distinctive of the three articles mentioned—was different. It was just possible, but not likely, that a mistake might have been made regarding it.
"You see," I said, "if you are going to stay here, I shall have to stay too; so perhaps we had better know what we are about at once, because I shall have to make up my mind whether to write to any of these people or not. To tell the truth, I am not eager to do so."
It was quite true that among these thirty-seven persons there might be those capable of being good, faithful, loving friends till death; but, on the other hand, one thought of the narrow-minded, uncultured women, gifted with a small, sharp, worldly wisdom—and gifted with little else besides—and I drew back from the plan which seemed promising when I was sitting alone, hardly able to endure my solitude; but now that this girl had appealed to me for help and shelter, had stepped unbidden into my house and secured her position there, it felt chilly and repulsive.
"I have ten half-sovereigns: I would like to keep two, in case I want anything. How long will you let me live with you for eight?"
"Well," I said, "at five shillings a week—I don't think I can charge less with profit to myself—I could keep you four months."
"Then that is settled, and I think your charge is very moderate. I know that I—that is, I know some girls who pay one hundred and twenty pounds a year, but that includes education. I wonder if I could go on with my education here? I would like if I could."
"There are two ladies' schools here: you might perhaps get into one of them as a pupil teacher, and work your way on."
"Yes, and live with you: I would like that. I know the routine of a school, and I could teach some things very well."
"We must make inquiry. Come, give me all these missives, and I'll bundle them up for four months at least. Then we shall see what we shall see: perhaps by that time I may be tempted to keep you for nothing. Now, listen to this;" and I read aloud the last advertisement anent the young lady with the green bonnet. I glanced up at her now and then as I read, and when I finished I laid the paper down and said, "If the bonnet had been blue, I should have thought you were the missing individual."
"It is laughable," she said laughing: "have you been so impressed with my good sense?"
"I can hardly think a person altogether senseless who is anxious to stay with me; but you are wrong in thinking it laughable. The people are in distress evidently."
"And threaten publicity. If I were the young lady I would not mind how many policemen got my carte, would you?"
"I should not think it particularly pleasant: besides, when they get her carte they'll soon get herself. She'll be detained wherever she turns up till her friends are communicated with."
"Let me see the paper, please," she said: "I should like to read that once again. 'To hotel and lodging-house keepers.' That young lady must have had more money in her pocket than me, or they would not think she would go to
