The Town Traveller

ttle bed in the front room, which during the daytime served as a parlour. On occasions of ceremony-when the parlour was needed in the evening-the children slept in a bare attic nex

atural gifts and worldly circumstances had set a distance between them. Partly, perhaps, because she was the widow of a police constable Mrs. Bubb gave all due weight to social distinctions; she knew her "place," and was incapable of presuming. W

it. No; let Polly have a fair chance, first of all, of unbosoming herself before he

case, telling her only that her niece was going to quit Mrs. Bubb's, and that it behoved her to assist in a final appeal to the girl's better feelings. His own part in the affair was merely, he explained, that of a messenger, sent to urge the

estion of arrogance. As her habit was she kissed Mrs. Bubb-a very kindly and gracious thing to do. She asked after the children, and was sorry she could not see them. In her attire Mrs. Clover preserved the same happy medium as in her way of plying the knocker; it was sufficiently elaborate to show consideration for her hostess, yet not so grand as to overwhelm by contrast. She looked, indeed, so pleasant, and so fresh, and so young that it was as difficult to remember the t

at," said Mrs. Clover meani

the word, Mrs. Clov

you couldn't live without a glass of be

was left

bb in the same moment. "W

eavy step was asc

dlady with a sigh of agitation. "O

ness, causing her to ramble and stumble for many minutes in mazes of circumlocution, at length conveyed the fact to her anxious listener that Polly Sparkes had said something or other which implied a kno

ys, you can tell her, she says, that there's nobody but me knows where her 'usband is, and what he's a-doin' of but I wouldn't let her know, she says, not if it was to save her from d

d and agitated. Her face lost its wholesome tone for a moment, her hands moved

eer," put in Mr. Gammon, "

ought of such a thing," replied

it's true after all? Polly's been that nast

ded, and seemed

st unlikely thing-the most unlikely thing I ever heard of. I shall never believ

fully. She looked at Gammon and immediately looked away agai

hat we will do, cost what it may. We're not going to have that girl making trouble and disturbance just to

mon. 'T ain't likely I

yself scarce. What I propose is this, Mrs. Clover. When Polly comes in-never mind how late it is, I'll see you safe 'ome-let her get upstairs just as usual. Then you go up to her door and you knock and you just say, 'Polly, it's m

tch-key at the front door. She started up; her companions did the same. By opening the door of the parlour an inch or two it was ascertained that a person had entered th

Don't be nervous; it's only Polly Sparkes, and she

n't give way, my dear. Whativer you do, don't give w

man had their door ajar, knowing well what was in progress, for the landlady had not been able to keep her counsel at such a dramatic crisis;

t?" sounded in a

r Aunt Louisa. Will

do you

ncouraging, and Mrs. Clover delay

id at length, with firmness. "You know

Polly, in a tone of unmistakable decision. "You're only

for Mrs. Clover was that moment trying the handle when she heard the excluding snap. Natural

and you know it, and you don't care, and I'm sure I don't care! Somebody ought to box your ears soundly, miss. I wouldn't have such a temper as yours not for unto

sion. Before the sound had died away Mrs. Clover was at the f

ly. "I won't believe a word of it. She's ma

on. Gammon, silent as yet, stood looking on. As he watched Mrs. Clover's countenance his own underwent a change; there was a ruff

his side pockets. "You've come all this way, M

to, Mr. Gammon

Polly's trying to make fools of us she shan't have all the fun; if she's telling the truth she shall have a fair chance of proving it

mon?" asked the landlady,

and see your aunt. If you'll come, quite well and good; if you won't, I just got to tell you that the

ces. Both were plainly impressed by this

d Mrs. Clover. "There isn't a word of truth in wh

e about that. It seems to me just as likely as not that

was very easily swayed by an opinion from Mr. Gammo

d, "that we should real

e. Go up, Mrs. Bubb, and just say what I

bb did not heed it. Her face set in the joy of b