"Well, then, Effie," said his mother, "you will in future learn to appreciate our dear George as he deserves. The fact is this: he has just got a rise in his salary of a whole hundred a year. George is now earning two hundred a year; and he has arranged, dear fellow, to give me one hundred a year, in order that I may have those little comforts which he thinks I require." "Is that really true?" said Effie, coloring. "Oh, what splendid news!" She looked eagerly at George as she spoke. She longed to jump up, throw her arms round his neck, and kiss him. "Is this true?" she repeated. "Oh, I am so glad! We do want the money so badly." George stooped to flick off a speck of dust which had settled on his immaculate shirt-cuff; his eyes would not meet Effie's. "Of course it is true," he said in a bravado sort of voice. "You don't suppose I would tell mother a lie, do you?" "Oh, Effie! how could you doubt him?" said Mrs. Staunton, almost crying. "No, mother, I don't doubt him," Effie replied. She walked to the window. Her momentary pleasure was over; she knew, just as well as if George had told her, that the whole thing was a fabrication. If he had more money, he was not getting it in his situation. His look, his attitude, joined to the few words Lawson had said to her, made Effie quite certain on that point. Burning words half rose to her lips, but she checked them. She did not doubt George. She read the truth in his eyes; what fell from his lips was nothing. Mrs. Staunton kept on talking. "We shall have real comforts at home now," she said. "I am, as my boy says, a wonderful manager." "The best in all the world," interrupted George; "there never was such a mother." Mrs. Staunton's eyes quite shone with pleasure. "What I was thinking was this, Effie," she continued, "that if you really are not strong enough to go on with your work, we can now afford to keep you at home." "Of course we can," said George. He had scarcely said these words, half turning his back on Effie as he spoke, when the room door was opened by Mrs. Robinson, and Lawson was announced. When he saw his friend, George suddenly turned pale. He recovered himself in a moment, however, and went forward to meet him, speaking in a loud and bragging voice. "Is that you, Lawson? Welcome, old chap. We did not expect you to-day, but we are right glad to see you, of course." "You will stay and have tea with us, won't you, Mr. Lawson?" said Mrs. Staunton in her sweet voice. "Yes, certainly," said Lawson. He had given Effie his hand when he came into the room, but he scarcely looked at her. He sat down near Mrs. Staunton, and began to talk to her in his usual bright way. She yielded after a moment to his charm. Lawson was a young fellow with a great amount of general information; he had also abundance of tact, and he knew how to suit his words to Mrs. Staunton's requirements. When George saw his friend talking to his mother, he went up to Effie and stood near her.