Helen was silent; she ceased, however, to look towards the door. "I want to help you," continued the lady, "because, as I said, I know you to be dishonest; therefore I also know that you must often be unhappy and half-starved." "True enough, Missus," said Helen; but then she added in a moment, "I guess yer one o' them good sorts, ain't yer?" "I don't know that I am very good, though I love goodness. What do you mean?" "Oh, one o' them preachment folks, wot comes and worries poor people as 'ave other business to h'occupy them." "I know the people you mean, but I don't think you judge them right." "I guessed as yer were one o' them." "Yes, I am one of them--at least, I am a Christian. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't you?" "Never heerd o' him," said Helen. "He ain't God, is he?" "Why do you ask me that? He is God; you have made a very good guess." "Well, ain't I 'cute?" "But I am no longer at all surprised at your being the kind of woman I find you to be," continued Mrs. Aytoun. "You have never been helped knowingly by Jesus in your life. No wonder you love the bad." "I was never helped by no one," said Helen. "You are mistaken there; Jesus has helped you." Helen started. "For instance, you love your boy." "Yes." "Well, Jesus put that love into your heart; that love has hitherto been the only thing good in you--am I not right?" Helen nodded, stared very hard at Robin, and whisked a tear out of her eye. "Jesus loves you." "Look here, missus," interrupted Helen; "that's religion, ain't it?" "It is the beginning and end of all religion." "Well, I don't want it. I'm a willin' to be 'elped, but not preached to." Mrs. Aytoun paused, and looking hard into the eyes of the restless, half-starved woman, saw that at least at first she must bring her the gospel through the loaves and fishes. She then unfolded the plan that had really brought her there. Possessed of great wealth, Mrs Aytoun had opened homes for such women as Helen--for such children as Robin. She had taken several lost women and neglected children to these pure, sweet, country homes, and after a few months of the training which true love and kindness can effect, given them means to emigrate. This grand chance she now offered to Helen and Robin; she pictured the good and happy life pleasantly and attractively, and she came at the right moment, for Helen was weary, perplexed, alarmed. In the midst of her conversation, a woman came in from a neighbouring room, ran up to Helen, whispered some words in her ear, four of which the visitor heard, "_In for a vamp_." She did not know what this jargon meant, but Helen did only too well: she knew it was the thieves' latin for convicted of stealing. She knew that the police were almost on her heels. Growing white even to the lips, she motioned the neighbour out of the room, caught up Robin in her arms, and holding him tight to her beating bosom, addressed Mrs. Aytoun: