'She is all I have in the world except Kitty, and I am thinking what I can do for her from morning to night; that is the best and the worst of my work, one need never stop thinking for it.

Sometimes, when I am tired, or things have gone wrong with my customers, or I am a bit behindhand with the rent, I wish I could talk it over with her; it would ease me somehow; but I never do give way to the feeling, for it would only fret and worry her.' 'You are wrong,' I returned warmly.

'Mr.Hamilton would tell you so if you asked him.

Any worry, any outside trouble, would be better for Phoebe than this unhealthy feeding on herself.

Take my advice, Miss Locke, talk about yourself and your own troubles.