He could not speak although he tried to repeatedly, for the glare of his assistant’s eye transfixed him like a magnet.

With one hand upon the door, Mr. Watkins paused to answer: 

“The papers don’t know it all, Mr. Forbes,” he whispered shrilly; “or, if they do, they don’t dare to tell what they know.  If they did they would add that it was the least you could do—­to pay for her funeral after your firm has killed her!”

CHAPTER XVI.

Faith’s talk with young Denton.

“Miss Marvin, I beg that you will excuse this intrusion,” said James Denton as he joined her on the street after her call at the undertaker’s, “but there is something I wish very particularly to say to you; it is something regarding that poor girl, Miss Jennings.”

He had raised his hat politely and stood regarding the young girl in a most courteous manner.  As Faith studied his face she could see that he meant no disrespect, but was painfully in earnest.

“I shall be glad to hear anything that you have to say about poor Mary,” she answered sadly, “for she was my very dear friend, although our acquaintance was a brief one.”

“Let us walk a little, Miss Marvin, please.  I can talk better when I’m walking.  The fact is, I’m horribly upset, and I don’t know why I should be, either.”

Faith looked at him sharply.  He had removed his hat again and was passing his hand over his brow in a thoughtful manner.

She discovered in that glance that he was a remarkably handsome fellow, for youth, even in its hour of sorrow, cannot help being attracted to all that is gracious and beautiful.

His eyes would have been fine had their glance been a little more steady, but he shifted his gaze constantly, like one who possesses an undecided nature.

“What I have to say is this,” he began very bluntly.  “I think the firm should arrange to let all you girls attend the funeral of Miss Jennings, and I don’t exactly know how to go to work to get them to do it.”

“Oh, what a lovely idea!” exclaimed Faith, impulsively, “and it is so kind of you think of it, Mr. Denton,” she added.

The young man blushed a little at her enthusiastic words, but went on talking as calmly as possible.

“I’ve been doing a little thinking since Miss Jennings died; I don’t know why, for the death of a clerk doesn’t usually affect me.”

“Perhaps it was because it occurred in the store,” suggested Faith, gently.  “You have probably not known the details of any other such sad occurrence.”

“That is doubtless it,” said Mr. Denton promptly, “but another thing is this:  I knew Mr. Watkins before he went to work for my father.  His folks used to be rich, you know, and Fred was always a good fellow.  He was in love with the girl, and I can’t help feeling sorry for him, though, as I said before, I don’t quite understand why I’m interested.”