'Of course I shall try to do my duty, and if Mr. Lennox respects himself I shall try to respect him.' She spoke these words hesitatingly, but the admission that she possibly might respect Mr. Lennox satisfied Kate, and not wishing to press the matter further, she said, suddenly referring to their previous conversation: 'But didn't you say that it was nine o'clock?' 'It's more than nine now.' 'Oh, Lord! oh, Lord! how late I am! I suppose the two little girls are here?' 'They just came in as I was going upstairs; I've set them to work.' 'I wish you'd get the tea ready, and you might make some buttered toast; Ralph would like some, and so should I, for the matter of that.' Then Ralph's voice was heard calling, and seeing what was wanted, she hastened to his assistance. 'Where were you last night?' he asked her. 'I slept in the stranger's room; I thought you'd not require me, and I was more comfortable there. The bed in the back room is all ups and downs.' He was breathing heavily in a way that made her fear he was going to have another attack. 'Is mother in a great rage because I won't let her in?' he said presently. 'She's very much cut up about it, dear; you know she loves you better than anyone in the world. You'd do well to make it up with her.' 'Well, perhaps I was wrong,' he said after a time, and with good humour, 'but she annoys me. She will interfere in everything; as if I hadn't a right to let my rooms to whom I please. She pays for all she has here, but I'd much sooner she left us than be lorded over in that way.' 'She doesn't want to lord it over you, dear. It's all arranged. She promised me just now she'd say nothing more about it, and that she'd look after Mr. Lennox like any other lodger.' On hearing that his mother was willing to submit to his will, the invalid smiled and expressed regret that the presence of an extra person in the house, especially an actor, would give his wife and mother more work to do. 'But I shall soon be well,' he said, 'and I dare say downstairs looking after the shop in a week.' Kate protested against such imprudence, and then suggested she should go and see after his breakfast. Ralph proffered no objection, and bidding him goodbye for the present, she went downstairs. Annie was helping Mrs. Ede to make the toast in the front kitchen; Lizzie stood at the table buttering it, but as soon as Kate entered they returned to their sewing, for it was against Kate's theories that the apprentices should assist in the household work.