money got so easily. He doesn't drink, I fancy. At least I said to
Matthew, 'What's wrong with that Burton, does he drink?' 'No,' he says.
'At least, I don't think so,' he says; 'but he takes it out in eating.
He's an easy liver,' he says. And what a foolish girl that is to give
away her character for a man like him. If she was in trouble she might
have come to any of us, and we'd have done anything in reason."

"I suppose that was just it," said Anne. "He was there before we were
ready, and the poor girl thought he was her only friend."

"Well! she's a foolish girl," repeated Mrs Crowther, in the tone of one
who having young people to protect could take no part in excuses. "Why,
there's that young Wilkinson, that's booking-clerk at the station, said
to our John, 'I was a bit sweet on that girl myself,' he said, 'but if
that's the sort she is, I'm not having any.' He's a bit conceited, and
thinks a lot of his clothes, but he's steady enough. Had she the face to
come and see you when you went?" she added with curiosity.

"I saw them both," said Anne, sadly. "She's quite under his influence. I
can't do much for her now. Perhaps she'll come of her own accord if we
show her we're her friends."

"Well, I don't know as you can ever do much for people that will have
their own way."

"If she isn't driven any further--" began Anne.

"I don't know," said Mrs Crowther, with emphasis; "you _must_ make a
difference. There's plenty of girls kept themselves decent who were just
as poor, and if everybody's to be treated the same, no matter how they