He had certainly a clever face, and his smile was quick and bright; it was only in rest that his mouth looked so stern and hard.

I found myself wondering once or twice if he had known any great trouble that had embittered him.
'Well, I must tell you about poor Phoebe Locke,' he began suddenly.

'I want you to find out what you can do for her.

The Lockes are respectable people: Phoebe and her sister were dressmakers.

They live a little lower down,--at Woodbine Cottage.
'Some years ago spinal disease came on, and now Phoebe is bedridden.