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‘It would be dishonesty, Miss Shepperson, and, how unfortunate, I have never yet lost my honour. People have trusted me, knowing that I am an honest man. I belong to a good family–as, no doubt, Mrs. Rymer has told you. A brother of mine holds a respected position in Birmingham, and, if the worst comes to the worst, he will find me employment. But, as you can well understand, I shrink from that extremity. For one thing, I am in debt to my brother, and I am resolved to pay what I owe him before asking for any more assistance. I do not lose courage. You know the proverb: “Lose heart, lose all.” I am blest with an admirable wife, who stands by me and supports me under every trial. If my wife were to die, Miss Shepperson–‘ He faltered; his eyes glistened in the gas ‘But no, I won’t encourage gloomy fears. She is a little better to-day, they tell me. We shall come out of our troubles, and laugh over them by our cheerful fireside–you with us–you, our dearest and staunchest friend.’

‘Yes, we must hope,’ said Miss Shepperson, reassured once more as to her own interests; for a moment her heart had sunk very low indeed. ‘We are all doing our best.’

‘You above all,’ said Mr. Rymer, pressing her hand with his coal-blackened fingers. ‘I felt obliged to speak frankly, because you must have thought it strange that I allowed things to get so disorderly–our domestic arrangements, I mean. The fact is, Miss Shepperson, I simply don’t know how I am going to meet the expenses of this illness, and I dread the thought of engaging servants. I cannot–I will not–raise money on my expectations! When the money comes to me, I must be able to pay all my debts, and have enough left to recommence life with. Don’t you approve this resolution, Miss Shepperson?’

‘Oh yes, indeed I do,’ replied the listener heartily.

‘And yet, of course,’ he pursued, his eyes wandering, ‘we must have a servant–‘

Miss Shepperson reflected, she too with an uneasy look on her face. There was a long silence, broken by a deep sigh from Mr. Rymer, a sigh which was almost a sob. The other went on drying her plates and dishes, and said at length that perhaps they might manage with quite a young girl, who would come for small wages; she herself was willing to help as much as she could–

‘Oh, you shame me, you shame me!’ broke in Mr. Rymer, laying a hand on his forehead, and leaving a black mark there. ‘There is no end to your kindness; but I feel it as a disgrace to us–to me–that you, a lady of property, should be working here like a servant. It is monstrous–monstrous!’

At the flattering description of herself Miss Shepperson smiled; her soft eyes beamed with the light of contentment.

‘Don’t you give a thought to that, Mr. Rymer,’ she exclaimed. ‘Why, it’s a pleasure to me, and it gives me something to do–it’s good for my health. Don’t you worry. Think about your business, and leave me to look after the house. It’ll be all right.’

A week later Mrs. Rymer was in the way of recovery, and her husband went to the City as usual. A servant had been engaged–a girl of sixteen, who knew as much of housework as London girls of sixteen generally do; at all events, she could carry coals and wash steps. But the mistress of the house, it was evident, would for a long time be unable to do anything whatever; the real maid-of-all-work was Miss Shepperson, who rose every morning at six o’clock, and toiled in one way or another till weary bedtime. If she left the house, it was to do needful shopping or to take the children for a walk. Her reward was the admiration and gratitude of the family; even little Minnie had been taught to say, at frequent intervals: ‘I love Miss Shepperson because she is good!’ The invalid behaved to her as to a sister, and kissed her cheek morning and evening. Miss Shepperson’s name being Dora, the baby was to be so called, and, as a matter of course, the godmother drew a sovereign from her small savings to buy little Miss Dora a christening present. It would not have been easy to find a house in London in which there reigned so delightful a spirit of harmony and kindliness.