‘Oh no, ma’am. It is a true note of its kind; but you see, ma’am, it is a joint-stock bank, and there are reports out that it is likely to break. Mr. Johnson is only doing his duty, ma’am, as I am sure Mr. Dobson knows.’ But Mr. Dobson could not respond to the appealing bow by any answering smile. He was turning the note absently over in his fingers, looking gloomily enough at the parcel containing the lately-chosen shawl. ‘It’s hard upon a poor man,’ said he, ‘as earns every farthing with the sweat of his brow. However, there’s no help for it. You must take back your shawl, my man; Lizzie must do on with her cloak for a while. And yon figs for the little ones—I promised them to ’em—I’ll take them; but the ’bacco, and the other things——’ ‘I will give you five sovereigns for your note, my good man,’ said Miss Matty. ‘I think there is some great mistake about it, for I am one of the shareholders, and I’m sure they would have told me if things had not been going on right.’ The shopman whispered a word or two across the table to Miss Matty. She looked at him with a dubious air. ‘Perhaps so,’ said she. ‘But I don’t pretend to understand business; I only know that if it is going to fail, and if honest people are to lose their money because they have taken our notes—I can’t explain myself,’ said she, suddenly becoming aware that she had got into a long sentence with four people for audience; ‘only I would rather exchange my gold for the note, if you please,’ turning to the farmer, ‘and then you can take your wife the shawl. It is only going without my gown a few days longer,’ she continued, speaking to me. ‘Then, I have no doubt, everything will be cleared up.’ ‘But if it is cleared up the wrong way?’ said I. ‘Why, then it will only have been common honesty in me, as a shareholder, to have given this good man the money. I am quite clear about it in my own mind; but, you know, I can never speak quite as comprehensively as others can; only you must give me your note, Mr. Dobson, if you please, and go on with your purchases with these sovereigns.’ [Illustration: ‘_He hung back._’] The man looked at her with silent gratitude—too awkward to put his thanks into words; but he hung back for a minute or two, fumbling with his note. ‘I’m loth to make another one lose instead of me, if it is a loss; but, you see, five pounds is a deal of money to a man with a family; and, as you say, ten to one in a day or two the note will be as good as gold again.’ ‘No hope of that, my friend,’ said the shopman. ‘The more reason why I should take it,’ said Miss Matty quietly. She pushed her sovereigns towards the man, who slowly laid his note down in exchange. ‘Thank you. I will wait a day or two before I purchase any of these silks; perhaps you will then have a greater choice. My dear, will you come upstairs?’