Do you remember that outlandish-looking governess who came up here for a week to try to keep Frankie in order before we sent him to school?
Oh, what a blessing it is to have that boy at school! Do you remember Miss Martineau, Joseph ?" "There was an authoress of the name, my love; but surely she died before we came to Shortlands ?" "Joseph, how stupid you are! I mean a dear, obsolete creature in the village.

However, it is not the slightest matter whether you remember her or not.

She came here again this morning, and begged of me to interest myself in the cause of three destitute orphans who lived in a little house in the village.

She spoke most kindly about them, but said they were a little unfinished, and not, in her opinion, very capable; but she described them as pretty and young, and, oh, so appallingly poor! And somehow the good old creature touched my heart, and I said I would certainly help them.

I ordered the carriage and drove into the village.