"There's papa, of course." Both ladies agree about their parent, as a sort of _fons et origo nummorum_. Mr. Taylor had better talk to him about it. Mr. Elphinstone, after thirty-five years in the family, has no scruple about showing that he overhears conversation, and subinforms Miss Arkroyd that Sir Murgatroyd is imminent. Pending the baronet, the conversation is general, then drifts towards the Great Idea. Sibyl becomes gracious--points with pride to a mountain of letters on the subject that she will have to answer before she goes out. Mr. Elphinstone has restricted them to a clear spot on the breakfast-table, without presuming to fold or envelope. Miss Arkroyd detracts from their glory. Most of them are from artists who want to make designs for the cripples to execute, or from cripples who can do nothing at present, but would take three-and-sixpence a week during apprenticeship. Sibyl is indignant. The letters are the _exact contrary_ of what Judith alleges. It is easy to sneer, but read what Mr. Brewdover says. There's his letter! But Judith says she isn't prepared to take up her parable on the subject--doesn't know enough about the matter. No doubt it's all right! She withdraws an incipient yawn, and Sibyl says something _sotto voce_, possibly that Judith might just as well have held her tongue. Athelstan Taylor, writing of this interview to his friend Gus later, said: "I was glad at this point that the Bart. came in, apologetic--as I didn't fancy having to make peace between those two girls. Why need well-brought-up young women to be so quarrelsome--without the excuse of Alcoholism? They are rather a disappointment--those two--they used to be so nice as kids. I must say the old boy is my favourite of the family still--he was quite exemplary about this poor sailor chap--said, if _I_ was convinced, that was enough for him, and I had only to say how much would be wanted. Her ladyship was very good too--do her justice!--promised to come and see poor Jim at the Hospital; and I think will keep her promise." He added a postscript next day: "Lady Arkroyd's visit came off this morning, and passed off without ructions. I was rather nervous, because her ladyship thinks it her duty to get up a sort of theologico-ethico-moral-goody steam _because I'm there_--and poor Jim is such a terrible and appalling example of theoretical irreligion that I was on tenterhooks." CHAPTER XVII LADY ARKROYD'S VISIT TO JIM. GOODY TALK. JIM AND HIS MAKER. HOW MR. TAYLOR VISITED ANOTHER CASE. A DEATH-BED CONFESSION The reference to Jim's irreligious attitude, in the Rector's letter, makes it almost incumbent on the story to give some particulars of Lady Arkroyd's visit to the Hospital.