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And as Valmai partook of her tea and bread and butter and has were satisfied

"Now I's away, uncle;

no ; "she's had four to-day, and a pair of

slippers, and that'll do for one day After all, she's a good ole

sole! though why soleor mackerel Ay never could make

ewt She knows ht

shillings a week regular! and she only comes at ten and leaves at

faive Oh! bless you, she knohen she's well off, or she wouldn't

put up with the books and slippers Ay know 'e again When Mrs Finch cael," he said, "this is

the night for your wages, isn't it?"

"Iss, sir," said the woman, with a sniff and a bob curtsey

"There's s,

every penny, and there's a shilling overhead for good luck, Mrs Finch,

becos the lil gel has co now and you're the mate"

"Iss, sir, and thank you," said Mrs Finch, disappearing with practised

celerity through the doorway

And so Valmai took her place at once as "captain" of her uncle's house,

and, in spite of his gruff ways and his tremendous voice, she felt more

at home with him than with Essec Powell, for here her presence was