She brusquely brought him back to the question of Mary's health.

"It is Mary that I want to hear about. Tell me--before she comes in--
what is the matter with her?"

He was willingly confidential.

"She has worries," said he--"worries that you, my dear young lady, in
YOUR position, know nothing of--would not understand if I were to tell
you."

"I have been in positions to understand most kinds of worries," said
Deb. "What are they? Money worries?"

"Well, I have a delicacy in--"

"Oh, you need not have! I know, of course, that you cannot have
been too well off, and I am here on purpose to do something for you, if
you will allow me.' There was no need to beat about the bush, she knew,
since Mary was out of hearing. 'Tell me exactly, if you don't mind--in
strict confidence, of course. No need to trouble her--and I shall not
say anything."

He told her, with fullness and fervour, when he had expressed his too
fulsome gratitude.

"I have done my best, Miss Pennycuick. You bade me be good to her; I
gave you my solemn promise--and I can conscientiously say that I have
kept my word." Well, so he had; according to his lights he had been an