Gladys was sympathetic at once.

‘What is it?—­the matter, I mean.  Have they had a doctor?’

’Yes; it’s inflammation of the lungs.  She’s so much in the streets at night, I think, when it’s wet; that’s where she’s got it.’

’I am very sorry.  Perhaps I could do something for her.  My father was often ill; he was not strong, and sometimes caught dreadful chills painting outside.  I always knew what to do for him.  I’ll go, if you like.’

The lad’s face flushed all over.  He was divided between his anxiety for his sister, whom he really loved, and his reluctance for Gladys to see his home.  But the first prevailed.

‘If it wouldn’t be an awful trouble to you,’ he said; and Gladys smiled as she gave her head a quick shake.

’No trouble; I shall be so glad.  Tell me where to find the place, and I’ll go after dinner, before it is dark.  Uncle Abel says I must not go out after dark, you know.’

‘It’s a long way from here, and you’ll have to take two cars.’

‘I know the Bridgeton car; but may I not walk?’

’No; please take these pennies.  When you are going to see my sister, I should pay.  Yes, take them; I want you to.’

Gladys took the coppers, and put them in her pocket.  She knew very well they would reduce the hoard he was gathering for the purchase of a coveted book, but she felt that in accepting them she was conferring a rare pleasure on him.  And it was so.  Never was subject prouder of a gift accepted by a sovereign than Walter Hepburn of the fact that that day Gladys should ride in comfort through the wet streets at his expense.  It was another memory for the after years.

In the afternoon, accordingly, Gladys dressed and went out.  Her uncle had provided her with a warm winter cloak, which enveloped her from head to foot.  It was not new.  Had Gladys known where it came from, and who had worn it before her, she might not have enjoyed so much solid satisfaction in wearing it, but though she had been told that it was an unredeemed pledge she would not have known what it meant.

It was a dry afternoon, though cloudy and cold.  It was so near Christmas that the shops were gay with Christmas goods; but in those who have no money to spend in such luxuries, the Christmas display can only awaken a dull feeling of envy and discontent.  By dint of much asking, after leaving the car, Gladys found the street where the Hepburns lived.  It was not so squalid as the immediate neighbourhood of her own home, but it was inexpressibly dreary—­one of these narrow long streets, with high ‘lands’ on either side, entered by common stairs, and divided into very small houses.  Outwardly it looked even respectable, and was largely occupied by the poorer labouring class, who often divided their abodes by letting them out to lodgers.  It was one of the streets, indeed, where the overcrowding had attracted the serious consideration of the authorities.