"Ay, here," repeated Willie; "she passes this pond every morning, she told me, on her way to teach a family in Kensington; by the way, I didn't think of asking whether the father, mother, and servants were included among her pupils. Why, Frank, what an absent frame of mind you are in this morning! I declare it is not worth a man's while consulting you about anything." "I beg pardon," cried Frank quickly, "your words caused my mind to wander a bit. Come, what do you think of doing?" "What do you think I should do? that is the question." "You can offer to assist them," suggested Frank. "I've done so," said the other, "but Ziza won't accept of assistance." "Could we not manage to get her a situation of some sort with light work and good pay?" "Ah! a fireman's, for instance," cried Willie, with a sarcastic laugh; "did you ever hear of a situation with light work and good pay except under Government? _I_ never did; but we might perhaps find _steady_ work and good pay. It would only be required for a time, because I mean to--ah, well, no matter--but how and where is it to be got? Good Mr Tippet is of no use, because he is mad." "Mad, Willie!" "Ay, mad as a March hare. For years back I have suspected it, but now, I am sure of it; in fact I feel that I have gradually come to be his keeper--but more of that anon. Meanwhile, what is to be done for the Cattleys?" "Could nothing be done with Mr Auberly?" Willie shook his head. "No, I fear not. He was in a soft state once--long ago--six or seven years now, I think--when the dear fairy was ill and he seemed as if he were going to become a man; but his daughter Loo had just begun to be ill at that time. She's been so long ill now that he has got used to it, and has relapsed again into an oyster." "He might be reached through Loo yet," said Frank. "Perhaps," replied Willie, "but I doubt it, for he's a blunt old fellow in his feelings, however sharp he may be in his business; besides, Loo is so weak now that very few are allowed to see her except Ziza, and Miss Tippet, and Emma Ward." The brothers remained silent after this for some time, for neither of them could see his way out of their difficulties; at last Frank suggested that Willie should go home and consult his mother. "She is wise, Willie, and has never given us bad advice yet." "I know what her first advice will be," said Willie. "What?" asked Frank. "To go and pray about it," answered Willie. "Well, she might give worse advice than that," said Frank, with much earnestness. "In fact, I doubt if she could give better." "True," assented Willie, "and now, old fellow, I'm off. Mr Tippet likes punctuality. I'll look in at the station in passing if anything turns up to clear my mind on these matters; meanwhile good-bye."