“I hope you got all the things, then, you needed for yourself.”

“Yes, and more, I fear, than I really needed.  But Mrs. Flaxman says we owe it to our position in society to dress becomingly; but the question to my mind is, how far it is necessary to go to pay that social debt?  When I see a family like the Larkums, my conscience tells me I owe them a heavier debt than society.”

“I can’t understand why some people have no conscience, and other so much.  It seems to me now you have just a little too much for one of your age.”

“Please don’t you discourage me, Mrs. Blake.  I meet too much everywhere else.  But for you I might never have given a thought to the poor and needy.”

Mrs. Blake went to the window and stood looking out for some time in silence, while I sat with my hand on Tiger’s head, whom I had liberated after Thomas went away.  I looked down into the brown eyes that were gazing up at me with dumb affection.

“Do you really like me so very much, Tiger?” I said, stooping down to gratify him with a touch of my face.

“I do believe he thinks more of you than of anybody.  I’ve not seen him look so good-natured since I come here as he does now.”  I fancied that I saw traces of tears on her face, and was surprised at it, for she was not the kind of woman constantly bubbling over, and rarely showed the tender side of her nature, save in kindly deeds.  Again she began inspecting my goodly array of dry goods with keen interest, inquiring the prices, and passing shrewd comments on the bargains I had made.

“I’m afraid the Larkums won’t need your gifts.  If they go to the poor-house, it won’t be worth while giving them anything; the town’ll provide.”

“I do not think they will go there.  Mrs. Larkum will get better, after awhile.”

“It might do her good to hear you say; so would you mind coming over this morning to see her?  I go in every day to see to them.”

I gathered up a large bundle of flannels and prints, for herself and children, along with the parcel containing Mr. Bowen’s cloth, while Mrs. Blake was getting ready.  She came to the table, where I stood arranging my parcels.

“Are these to go to the widow’s now?” she asked.

“Yes, if we can carry all at once.”

“I’ll see to that.  I’ve taken many a heavier load a good deal farther.”

“But I will share the burden with you.”

“No, it looks better for me to have my arms full than you; and, anyway, I want to do something to help them, and you too.”

I humored her fancy, only insisting on relieving her of my present for Mr. Bowen.  It was the most precious package in the lot; and I feared she might drop it.  When we reached the door of the Larkum cottage she halted.

“You won’t like the look of things here to-day.  There’s only the neighbors to look after them; and the most of us has more’n enough to do home.”