"And Ruby?"

Mary looked confused.

"Ruby? Ruby is--don't you know?--an actress in London. Doing very
well, they tell me--"Miss Pearla Gold" in the profession."

"Gracious! Why, I've seen her! Burlesque. Tights. The minx! Well, she
must be coining money, anyhow. I hope she doesn't forget to make some
return for all the trouble she has been to you."

"She forgets everything," said the step-mother, "and we are thankful
for it. Bob hates the thought; it is hard on him, who is so different.
Don't allude to it before him, please; he feels it too keenly. Debbie,
what did you think of my boy?" "Oh, splendid!" was the cordial
response. "I could hardly believe my eyes."

"Is he not?" the fond mother urged. "And it is not only his appearance,
Debbie--they say he is the cleverest lawyer in Melbourne. He is so
learned, so acute! He has a practice already that many a barrister,
well known and of twice his age, might envy."

The pale woman--for her bricky colour had faded out--thrilled and
glowed.

"Yes, he told me," said Deb; "and it was good hearing indeed.
But I always knew what he had in him.' To herself she said: 'Why, if he
is so well off, does he let her live like this?"

Poverty--though decent poverty--proclaimed itself in every detail of