_I feel therefore that I must fall in with your little plot. I am not allowed by law to send actual coin through the post, or you should have had a bright new five-shilling piece._ [This woman ought to be put into a Home.] _So I enclose what is called a postal order. If you sign your name on it and take it round to the nearest Post-Office, they will give you five shillings in exchange._ _Do not apologise for your handwriting. I think it is quite good for a boy of ten. Give my love to your baby brother._ _Your sincere friend,_ _Jane Roper._ _P.S. I wonder how you heard of me._ "They all want to know that," grunted Uncle Joseph. "None of the silly creatures seem ever to have heard of directories." Master Thomas Smith gravely signed the postal order which Uncle Joseph had pushed over to him, remarking that it was a good thing Miss Roper had not filled up the name of the post-office. There were fifteen more letters in a very similar strain. They were not all read right through, but the name and address of the sender were always entered in the book and the postal orders were carefully extracted and filed. Their total value was found to be seven pounds ten--this despite a disappointment caused by the last letter in the heap, which bore a small coronet on the back and promised a cheque at least. It ran:-- _My dear little boy,--I read your letter with great interest and indignation. It only proves what I have_ always _said, that some of our noble clergy are shamefully underpaid. I do not send you any money, for to do so would be to insult a sacred profession, and I am quite sure that your little plan of offering a contribution of your own towards your household expenses, though creditable to your feelings, would meet with your dear father's deepest disapproval. I will do better than that. I have some little influence with the kind Bishop of your diocese, and if you will send me your father's full name and the name of his church and parish,--all I have at present is your home address,--I will make strong representations to His Lordship on your behalf. Indeed, I expect to meet him at dinner next week. I have been unable to verify your father's name in_ "Crockford's Clerical Directory," _which I always keep by me. But you see, there are so many Smiths_-- "Quite so," murmured Uncle Joseph, in tones of deep satisfaction. --_And the task is too difficult. However, if you will send me the details I ask for, I feel sure that the dear Bishop will make a searching enquiry into your father's case._ _Your affectionate friend,_ _Sarah Brickshire._ _P.S. I wonder how such a little boy as you found out my address._