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‘Miss Shepperson, to-day I may account myself a happy man. Listen to a very singular story. You know that I was indebted to others besides you. I have communicated with all those persons; I have drawn up a schedule of everything I owe; and–extraordinary coincidence!–the sum-total of my debts is exactly that of the reversion upon which I have entered, minus three pounds fourteen shillings.’

‘Strange!’ murmured Mrs. Rymer, as if delightedly.

‘I did not know, Miss Shepperson, that I owed so much. I had forgotten items. And suppose, after all, the total had exceeded my resources! That indeed would have been a blow. As it is, I am a happy man; my wife is happy. We pay our debts to the last farthing, and we begin the world again–with three pounds to the good. Our furniture must go; I cannot redeem it; no matter. I owe nothing; our honour is saved!’

Miss Shepperson was aghast.

‘But, Mrs. Rymer,’ she began, ‘this is dreadful! What are you going to do?’

‘Everything is arranged, dear friend,’ Mrs. Rymer replied. ‘My husband has a little post in Birmingham, which will bring him in just enough to support us in the most modest lodgings. We cannot hope to have a house of our own, for we are determined never again to borrow–and, indeed, I do not know who would lend to us. We are poor people, and must live as poor people do. Miss Shepperson, I ask one favour of you. Will you permit us to leave your house without the customary notice? We should feel very grateful. To-day I pay Susan, and part with her; to-morrow we must travel to Birmingham. The furniture will be removed by the people who take possession of it–‘

Miss Shepperson was listening with a bewildered look. She saw Mr. Rymer stand up.

‘I will now,’ he said, ‘pay you the rent from the day–‘

‘Oh, Mr. Rymer!’ cried the agitated woman. ‘How can I take it? How can I leave you penniless? I should feel it a downright robbery, that I should!’

‘Miss Shepperson,’ exclaimed Mrs. Rymer in soft reproach, ‘don’t you understand how much better it is to pay all we owe, even though it does leave us penniless? Why, even darling baby’–she kissed it–‘would say so if she could speak, poor little mite. Of course you will accept the money; I insist upon it. You won’t forget us. We will send you our address, and you shall hear of your little godchild–‘

Her voice broke; she sobbed, and rebuked herself for weakness, and sobbed again. Meanwhile Mr. Rymer stood holding out banknotes and gold. The distracted Miss Shepperson made a wild gesture.

‘How can I take it? How can I? I should be ashamed the longest day I lived!’

‘I must insist,’ said Mr. Rymer firmly; and his wife, calm again, echoed the words. In that moment Miss Shepperson clutched at the notes and gold, and, with a quick step forward, took hold of the baby’s hand, making the little fingers close upon the money.

‘There! I give it to little Dora–there!’

Mr. Rymer turned away to hide his emotion. Mrs. Rymer laid baby down on the sofa, and clasped Miss Shepperson in her arms.

* * * * *

A few days later the house at Hammersmith was vacant. The Rymers wrote from Birmingham that they had found sufficient, though humble, lodgings, and were looking for a tiny house, which they would furnish very, very simply with the money given to baby by their ever dear friend. It may be added that they had told the truth regarding their position–save as to one detail: Mr. Rymer thought it needless to acquaint Miss Shepperson with the fact that his brother, a creditor for three hundred pounds, had generously forgiven the debt.

Miss Shepperson, lodging in a little bedroom, with an approving conscience to keep her company, hoped that her house would soon be let again.