In the sound good feeling and good sense of her entreaty, Miss Abbey had softened into a soothing tone, and had even drawn her arm round the girl’s waist. But, she only replied, “Thank you, thank you! I can’t. I won’t. I must not think of it. The harder father is borne upon, the more he needs me to lean on.”

And then Miss Abbey, who, like all hard people when they do soften, felt that there was considerable compensation owing to her, underwent reaction and became frigid.

“I have done what I can,” she said, “and you must go your way. You make your bed, and you must lie on it. But tell your father one thing: he must not come here any more.”

“Oh, Miss, will you forbid him the house where I know he’s safe?”