“Yes, my deary, but not through letter-writing, because letter-writing⁠—indeed, writing of most sorts hadn’t much come up for such as me when I was young. But I shall be to and fro. No fear of my missing a chance of giving myself a sight of your reviving face. Besides,” said Betty, with logical good faith, “I shall have a debt to pay off, by littles, and naturally that would bring me back, if nothing else would.”

“ Must it be done?” asked Mrs. Boffin, still reluctant, of the Secretary.

“I think it must.”