"You told me last week that your brother-in-law, Simpson, wished to go to
America, that he had the offer of employment there, but that he could not
afford the fare of the voyage. I promised I would help him if it was a
service to you."

"You are a hangel, miss!" exclaimed Bridget, dropping a low courtesy,
--so low that it seemed as if she was going on her knees. "And may you
have your deserts in the next blessed world, where there are no black-
hearted villings."

"Enough, enough," said Mrs. Crane, recoiling perhaps from that grateful
benediction. "You have been faithful to me, as none else have ever been;
but this time I do not serve you in return so much as I meant to do. The
service is reciprocal, if your brother-in-law will do me a favour. He
takes with him his daughter, a mere child. Bridget, let them enter their
names on the steam-vessel as William and Sophy Waife; they can, of
course, resume their own name when the voyage is over. There is the fare
for them, and something more. Pooh, no thanks. I can spare the money.
See your brother-in-law the first thing in the morning; and remember that
they go by the next vessel, which sails from Liverpool on Thursday."




CHAPTER XVI.

Those poor pocket-cannibals, how society does persecute them! Even
a menial servant would give warning if disturbed at his meals. But
your man-eater is the meekest of creatures; he will never give