My aunt evidently liked the offer, though she was delicate of accepting it. So did I. “Come, Miss Trotwood,” said Mr. Wickfield. “This is the way out of the difficulty. It’s only a temporary arrangement, you know. If it don’t act well, or don’t quite accord with our mutual convenience, he can easily go to the right-about. There will be time to find some better place for him in the meanwhile. You had better determine to leave him here for the present!”

“I am very much obliged to you,” said my aunt; “and so is he, I see; but⁠—”

“Come! I know what you mean,” cried Mr. Wickfield. “You shall not be oppressed by the receipt of favours, Miss Trotwood. You may pay for him, if you like. We won’t be hard about terms, but you shall pay if you will.”