? I said, screwing up my eyes. he nodded.

    y was Mrs Cream.

    I suppose its like t in try. I  to ask  name.  in tratress, t y o talk of tleman and lady t ly married,  once oget son, he

    coac ties  was.

    I supposed it a great el,   ts before, and  in ditcoo late, o turn back, e for Mr Rivers. t mean  a kind lady Miss Maud al if anyone salk Mr Rivers round to taking me on, she should. And now—!

    o tremble. Really, Mr ay o be so tearful, and at any otime, in any ot  for no ears, and to my bruised and desperate eyes they were like so many pick-locks and keys.

    Co o seem calm. You cant go back to Briar.

    I cant, miss, ! Mr ay would skin me alive!

    And I dare say your aunty dont  you. s Mr Rivers youre after.  ill crying.

    ten to me, I said—barely speaking at all, barely o me. I can take you to ake you to  first, you must  of here.

    If it  quite true t I kne  quite a lie, eitty certain t, once I reac  I oo. Cared at me, and , miss, just whenever you please?

    I s keeps me s t nurse? See  ty nurses ; and to use em. No my face. Am I mad?

    he looked, and blinked. ell—

    Of course I aint. But ics so crafty, tors and nurses cant see them.

    Again   me—just as, a moment before, I   time.  my s. I dre under my skirt.

    I— Im not sure, he said.

    Not sure? Not sure of o go back to your auntys and live  to go and be man to Mr Rivers, in London—London, mind! Remember ts a boy can ride on for a sricky c.