tale.

"Yes, if it's true," said Sophia. But Mrs. Rexford did not hear, as she
had already turned her head out of the door again, and was commending
Eliza White for the course she had taken.

The grey-eyed Winifred, however, still turned inside to combat
reproachfully Sophia's suspicions. "You would not doubt her word,
Sophia, if you saw how cold and tired she looked."

Mrs. Rexford seemed to argue concerning the stranger's truthfulness in
very much the same way, for she was saying:--

"And now, Eliza, will you be my servant? If you will come with me to
Chellaston I will pay your fare, and I will take care of you until you
hear from your uncle."

"I do not want to be a servant." The reply was stolidly given.

"What! do you wish to be idle?"

"I will work in your house, if you like; but I can pay my own fare in
the cars, and I won't be a servant."

There was so much sullen determination in her manner that Mrs. Rexford
did not attempt to argue the point.

"Take her, mamma," whispered Winifred. "How ill she seems! And she must
be awfully lonely in this great country all alone."