gave him to call and collect the money. Mrs. Wentworth had nothing to
say, nor had she a dollar to satisfy his demands.

"Good morning, madam," he said, as she opened the door to admit him,
"I was much surprised at your not calling to pay the rent at my office
on yesterday. I admire punctuality above everything else."

He entered the room, and cast his eyes on its empty walls. They did
not satisfy him, for the absence of any furniture told the tale of the
soldier's wife in a more graphic manner than words could have done.

"What does this mean?" he enquired.

"It means that necessity has compelled a mother to sacrifice
everything to keep her children from starving," Mrs. Wentworth
replied.

"Humph," said Mr. Elder. "This is singular. So I suppose," he
continued, addressing her, "you will say you have no money to pay your
month's rent in advance."

"I have not a dollar this day to buy bread," she answered.

A frown gathered on Mr. Elder's brow, as he remarked: "I suppose you
recollect the arrangement made between us when you first hired the
room from me."

"What arrangement was that?" she enquired in an absent manner.

"That on you failing to pay the rent, I should have the power to