I counted them out and laid the purse on the table beside my gloves.

I was just picking them up when--when Archibald--" Her voice failed again and she turned to the shop-woman.

"Something most unfortunate has happened.

Will you, please, send for Mr.
Tucker?
He will know me.

I have been here on several previous occasions--" I had not the slightest notion of the price of eatables; but I, too, turned on the shopwoman with a bold face, albeit with a fluttering heart.
"How much ?" I demanded.
"One-and-ninepence, sir." I know not which made me the happier--relief, or the glory of being addressed as "sir." I paid, pocketed my threepence change, and in the elation of it offered Miss Plinlimmon my arm.