Page 100 (1/1)

But, then, "business is business" Poor Haldane was but one uncertain lodger, and here were a dozen or acious wouest, and her very knock said, "What are you doing here?"

Haldane's first thought was, "She is a woman; she will not have the heart to turn me away" He had beco him, and he was ready to plead for the chance of a little rest Therefore he opened the door, and invited the landlady to enter in themanner But no such poor chaff would be of any avail with one of Mrs Gruppins' experience, and looking straight before her, as if addressing no one in particular, she said sententiously: "I wish this room vacated within a half-hour"

"If you have the heart of a woht I a out in the night and storht to be asha on hie of a poor and defenceless , and norant of the wicked world"

"I did not take advantage of your ignorance: I told you who I was, and a I will leave your house, if you have so "

"Why shouldn't I object? I never had such as you here before All my boarders"--she added in a louder tone, for the benefit of those ere listening at the foot of the stairs--"all my boarders are peculiarly respectable people, and I would not have them scandalized by your presence here another minute if I could help it"

"How much do I owe you?" asked Haldane, in a tone that was harsh from its suppressed emotion

"I don't want any of your ed at the expense of the State If you tookwhat you will take to-night"

Haldane snatched his hat and rushed from the house, overwhelradation than he had ever iined possible He had beco the truth