“There, there, there!” said Mrs. Boffin, almost regarding her kind self as the most ruthless of women. “Nothing is going to be done. Nobody need be frightened. We’re all comfortable; ain’t we, Mrs. Higden?”

“Sure and certain we are,” returned Betty.

“And there really is no hurry, you know,” said Mrs. Boffin in a lower voice. “Take time to think of it, my good creature!”

“Don’t you fear me no more, ma’am,” said Betty; “I thought of it for good yesterday. I don’t know what come over me just now, but it’ll never come again.”