“The Fellowships,” returned Miss Abbey, “has itself to look to, as well as others. It has been hard work to establish order here, and make the Fellowships what it is, and it is daily and nightly hard work to keep it so. The Fellowships must not have a taint upon it that may give it a bad name. I forbid the house to Riderhood, and I forbid the house to Gaffer. I forbid both, equally. I find from Riderhood and you together, that there are suspicions against both men, and I’m not going to take upon myself to decide betwixt them. They are both tarred with a dirty brush, and I can’t have the Fellowships tarred with the same brush. That’s all I know.”

“Good night, Miss!” said Lizzie Hexam, sorrowfully.

“Hah!⁠—Good night!” returned Miss Abbey with a shake of her head.

“Believe me, Miss Abbey, I am truly grateful all the same.”