"And never even had the decency to call in and thank us for the pains we took," said Mrs Purkis, "or to drop in occasional for a friendly cup o' tea, and a mossle of toast, as anybody else would; or come in and sit down sociably as poor Mrs Nimmer would, and ready at any time to take up a bit o' needlework, or a stocking, and have a quiet chat." "Well," said Mr Purkis, whose thoughts were evidently running quite as much upon Sunday-dinners as upon pew-openers, "it's of no use to grumble, for what's done can't be undone. But when Christmas comes, if she pushes herself forward so much, I'll let her know--see if I don't I'm not going to put up with so much of her interference, I can tell her." "The more you give way, the more give you may," said Mrs Purkis, rhythmically. "Why, she'll want to be beadle next, and clerk too," said Mr Purkis, indignantly, and growing so warm that he had to wipe inside his shirt-collar as well as dab his head; "says all the Amens now, she does, louder than the poor old gentleman--reg'lar drowns him in the litany, and makes herself that conspickyus that it's a wonder Mr Gray can't see through her, instead of taking her into favour. Not that I mind a bit-- not I. Mr Timson don't like her, though; and you see if he gives her a Christmas-box, same as he used Mrs Nimmer--pound o' best black, and a quarter o' green--he always give her reg'lar." "Ah! same as he gives us," sighed Mrs Purkis, "and as good tea as ever stood on a hob to draw." Volume 1, Chapter XIX. RICHARD'S SECRET. Time glided on, and the brothers Pellet did not meet. There was estrangement too between Richard Pellet and his stepson, who came up during his vacations, but only to leave home again in disgust. For the fact was, Richard Pellet looked upon him as being in the way,--a manner he had of considering all those who were not of present use to him in his designs. So Harry Clayton saw but little of Norwood. He made calls in Duplex Street at intervals, but always in vain, for Jared remained inflexible, and received the young man in a way which chilled him, and sent him away declaiming against people's hard-heartedness. Never once was Patty visible, for she followed out the role she had been taught, and had in consequence many a bitter cry in secret. Would she have liked to see Henry Clayton? That, too, she kept secret; and fate seemed to fight on Richard Pellet's side, for somehow the young people never encountered, in spite of the long hours which Harry loitered about Clerkenwell, till he knew every brass plate by heart in the neighbourhood, without counting the signboards that he read till he was weary.