"We will, if you please, drop the subject." Mary's words were overheard, as was a good deal in the house more than was reckoned on, and reached Mr.Redmain, whom they perplexed: what could the young woman hope from taking his part?
One morning, after the arrival of Mewks, his man, Mary heard Mr.
Redmain calling him in a tone which betrayed that he had been calling for some time: the house was an old one, and the bells were neither in good trim, nor was his in a convenient position.

She thought first to find Mewks, but pity rose in her heart.

She ran to Mr.Redmain's door, which stood half open, and showed herself.
"Can _I_ not do something for you, sir ?" she said.
"Yes, you can.

Go and tell that lumbering idiot to come to me instantly.

No! here, you!--there's a good girl!--Oh, damn!--Just give me your hand, and help me to turn an inch or two." Change of posture relieved him a little.