Then she went rapidly away, supported by her indignation, for she had done her best to pay her debts; had sold the few trinkets she possessed, and several treasures given by the Carrols, to settle her doctor’s bill, and had been half killing herself to satisfy Mrs. Flint’s demands.  The consciousness that she had been too lavish in her generosity when fortune smiled upon her, made the present want all the harder to bear.  But she would neither beg nor borrow, though she knew Harry would delight to give, and Uncle Enos lend her money, with a lecture on extravagance, gratis.

“I’ll paddle my own canoe as long as I can,” she said, sternly; “and when I must ask help I’ll turn to strangers for it, or scuttle my boat, and go down without troubling any one.”

When she came to her employer’s door, the servant said:  “Missis was out;” then seeing Christie’s disappointed face, she added, confidentially: 

“If it’s any comfort to know it, I can tell you that missis wouldn’t have paid you if she had a been to home.  There’s been three other women here with work, and she’s put ’em all off.  She always does, and beats ’em down into the bargain, which ain’t genteel to my thinkin’.”

“She promised me I should be well paid for these, because I undertook to get them done without fail.  I’ve worked day and night rather than disappoint her, and felt sure of my money,” said Christie, despondently.

“I’m sorry, but you won’t get it.  She told me to tell you your prices was too high, and she could find folks to work cheaper.”

“She did not object to the price when I took the work, and I have half-ruined my eyes over the fine stitching.  See if it isn’t nicely done.”  And Christie displayed her exquisite needlework with pride.

The girl admired it, and, having a grievance of her own, took satisfaction in berating her mistress.

“It’s a shame!  These things are part of a present, the ladies are going to give the minister; but I don’t believe he’ll feel easy in ’em if poor folks is wronged to get ’em.  Missis won’t pay what they are worth, I know; for, don’t you see, the cheaper the work is done, the more money she has to make a spread with her share of the present?  It’s my opinion you’d better hold on to these shirts till she pays for ’em handsome.”

“No; I’ll keep my promise, and I hope she will keep hers.  Tell her I need the money very much, and have worked very hard to please her.  I’ll come again on Monday, if I’m able.”

Christie’s lips trembled as she spoke, for she was feeble still, and the thought of that hard-earned money had been her sustaining hope through the weary hours spent over that ill-paid work.  The girl said “Good-bye,” with a look of mingled pity and respect, for in her eyes the seamstress was more of a lady than the mistress in this transaction.

Christie hurried to another place, and asked eagerly if the young ladies had any work for her.  “Not a stitch,” was the reply, and the door closed.  She stood a moment looking down upon the passers-by wondering what answer she would get if she accosted any one; and had any especially benevolent face looked back at her she would have been tempted to do it, so heart-sick and forlorn did she feel just then.