'Besides, my dear,' said Mrs Caffyn, smoothing the sheets a little,
'you won't mind my saying it, I expex you are in trouble. There's
something on your mind, and I believe as I knows pretty well what it
is.'

Madge turned round in the bed so as no longer to face the light; Mrs
Caffyn sat between her and the window.

'Look you here, my dear; don't you suppose I meant to say anything to
hurt you. The moment I looked on you I was drawed to you like; I
couldn't help it. I see'd what was the matter, but I was all the
more drawed, and I just wanted you to know as it makes no difference.
That's like me; sometimes I'm drawed that way and sometimes t'other
way, and it's never no use for me to try to go against it. I ain't
a-going to say anything more to you; God-A'mighty, He's above us all;
but p'r'aps you may be comm' this way again some day, and then you'll
look in.'

Madge turned again to the light, and again caught Mrs Caffyn's hand,
but was silent.

The next morning, after Madge's return, Mrs Cork, the landlady,
presented herself at the sitting-room door and 'wished to speak with
Mrs Hopgood for a minute.'

'Come in, Mrs Cork.'

'Thank you, ma'am, but I prefer as you should come downstairs.'

Mrs Cork was about forty, a widow with no children. She had a face