Fatty's brown cheeks grew a little pale.
"But Mr. Payne said" she began.
"My dear, you must consult with your sisters; they are both earning, and must contrive to make up the amount between them. Long before next quarter-day I can pay it back. A poem such as I am about to be engaged on will be worth hundreds of pounds. Speak to Ethel and Constance about the rent, and leave me in peace."
Patty slowly, very slowly, left the room. As wearily as if her small feet were weighted with lead, she crept up the basement stairs, and crossing the hall, once mere entered the drawing-room. Constance was reading a story by the light of a shaded lamp. Ethel was putting clean frills on the dress she were at her office.
"Oh, Patty," she exclaimed, as her young sister appeared, "you might finish this for me. It would be a delicious luxury to sit doing nothing. I do ache all over!"
