'I doubt if his ten shillings a week will bring us much good,' Mrs. Ede answered sourly; and she went upstairs, backbone and principles equally rigid, leaving Kate to fume at what she termed her mother-in-law's unreasonableness. But Kate had no time to indulge in many angry thoughts, for the tall gaunt woman returned with tears in her eyes to beg pardon. 'I'm so sorry, dear. Did I speak crossly? I'll say no more about the actor, I'll promise.' 'I don't see why I should be bullied in my own house,' Kate answered, feeling that she must assert herself. 'Why shouldn't I let my rooms to Mr. Lennox if I like?' 'You're right,' Mrs. Ede replied--'I've said too much; but don't turn against me, Kate.' 'No, no, mother; I don't turn against you. You're the only person I have to love.' At these words a look of pleasure passed over the hard, blunt features of the peasant woman, and she said with tears in her voice: 'You know I'm a bit hard with my tongue, but that's all; I don't mean it.' 'Well, say no more, mother,' and Kate went upstairs to her workroom. Miss Hender, already returned from dinner, was trembling with excitement, and she waited impatiently for the door to be shut that she might talk. She had been round to see her friend the stage carpenter, and he had told her all about the actor. Mr. Lennox was the boss; Mr. Hayes, the acting manager, was a nobody, generally pretty well boozed; and Mr. Cox, the London gent, didn't travel. Kate listened, only half understanding what was said. 'And what part does he play in _Madame Angot_?' she asked as she bent her head to examine the bead trimmings she was stitching on to the sleeves. 'The low comedy part,' said Miss Hender; but seeing that Kate did not understand, she hastened to explain that the low comedy parts meant the funny parts. 'He's the man who's lost his wig--La--La Ravodée, I think they call it--and a very nice man he is. When I was talking to Bill I could see Mr. Lennox between the wings; he had his arm round Miss Leslie's shoulder. I'm sure he's sweet on her.' Kate looked up from her work and stared at Miss Hender slowly. The announcement that Mr. Lennox was the funny man was disappointing, but to hear that he was a woman's lover turned her against him. 'All those actors are alike. I see now that my mother-in-law was right. I shouldn't have let him my rooms.' 'One's always afraid of saying anything to you, ma'am; you twist one's words so. I'm sure I didn't mean to say there was any harm between him and Miss Leslie. There, perhaps you'll go and tell him that I spoke about him.' 'I'm sure I shall do nothing of the sort. Mr. Lennox has taken my rooms for a week, and there's an end of it. I'm not going to interfere in his private affairs.'