"We've got all the hands we need," was the invariable answer to her applications. They tried to economize more closely, but there was small chance for that. They had not eaten meat for three days, and remained contented with bread and tea, leaving out sugar, for they felt that this was a superfluity in their circumstances. It was emphatically a dull time, and there seemed no chance to earn anything. "Rupert," said his mother, drawing a ring from her finger, "take this ring and pawn it. There seems no other way." "Isn't it your wedding ring, mother?" "Yes, Rupert, but I cannot afford to keep it while we are so poor." Rupert took the ring, and bent his steps towards Simpson's, for he felt that there he would be likely to meet fair treatment. CHAPTER VII. A LUCKY MEETING. It saddened Rupert to think his mother's wedding ring must be sacrificed, but when they were actually in need of food sentiment must not be considered. After that, when they had no longer anything to pawn except articles of clothing, Rupert shuddered to think what might lay before them. He entered Simpson's with a slow step. A woman was ahead of him and he waited for his turn. "Well," said an attendant, courteously, "what can I do for you?" "What will you give me on this ring?" "What do you want on it?" "Two dollars," answered Rupert. "No doubt it is worth that, but we have so many rings in stock that we are not anxious to receive more. We will give you a dollar and a quarter." Rupert hesitated, when to his surprise some one tapped him on the shoulder. "What brings you here, Rupert?" were the words that reached his ear. He turned round in surprise. "Mr. Sylvester!" he exclaimed. "I see you have not forgotten me. What brings you here?" "Sad necessity, Mr. Sylvester. But--I didn't expect to find you here. Surely you----" "No, I have not come here to pawn anything," said the young man, smiling. "On the contrary, I want to redeem a watch for an old schoolmate who was obliged to pawn it. He has a wife and child and was thrown out of employment four weeks since. Fortunately I ran across him, and have got him a place." "I will wait till you have attended to your business." Soon a gold watch was placed in Mr. Sylvester's hands, and he paid the pawnbroker twenty dollars and sixty cents. It had been pledged not quite a month for twenty dollars. The sixty cents represented the three per cent. a month interest allowed by the laws regulating pawn shops. "Now, young man," said the attendant, "do you want the dollar and a quarter I offered you on your ring?" "Yes," answered Rupert. "No," interposed Frank Sylvester, quietly. "What ring is this, Rupert?" "My mother's wedding ring." "And you are actually reduced to pawning it?" "Yes, Mr. Sylvester, I can't get anything to do, and we are out of money." "You have a mother and sister, I think you told me?" "Yes, sir." "I think we can do better than pawn the ring. Where do you live?" "In Elizabeth Street."