with which she came in contact. Another thing which much surprised Mavis was the heartless cruelty the girls displayed to any of their number who suffered from any physical defect. Many times in the day would the afflicted one be reminded of her infirmity; the consequent tears incited the tormentors to a further display of malignity. Bella, the servant, was an object of their attentions; her gait and manner of breathing would be imitated when she was by. She was always known by the name of "Pongo," till one of the "young ladies" had witnessed The Tempest from the upper boxes of His Majesty's Theatre; from this time, it was thought to be a mark of culture on the part of many of the girls at "Dawes'" to call her "Caliban." Mavis sympathised with the afflicted woman's loneliness; she made one or two efforts to be friendly with her, but each time was repulsed. One day, however, Mavis succeeded in penetrating the atmosphere of ill-natured reserve with which "Pongo" surrounded herself. The servant was staggering upstairs with two big canfuls of water; the task was beyond her strength. "Let me help you," said Mavis, who was coming up behind her. "Shan't," snorted Bella. "I shall do as I please," remarked Mavis, as she caught hold of one of the cans. "Leave 'old!" cried Bella; but Mavis only grasped the can tighter. "Go on now; don't you try and get round me and then turn an' laugh at me." "I never laugh at you, and I only want to help you up with the water." "Straight?" "What else should I want?" "Don't be kind to me," cried Bella, suddenly breaking down. "Bella!" gasped Mavis in astonishment. "Don't you start being kind to me. I ain't used to it," wept Bella. "Don't be a fool, Bella!" "I ain't a fool. I'm onny ugly and lopsided, and everyone laughs at me 'ceptin' you, and I've no one or--or nothin' to care for." Mavis thought it advisable to take Bella into her room, which happened to be empty; here, she thought, Bella would be free from eyes that would only find food for mirth in her tears. "I've never had a young man," sobbed Bella. "An' that's why I turned to Gawd and looked down on the young ladies here, as 'as as many young men as they want; too many sometimes. An' speaking of Gawd, it's nice to 'ave Someone yer know as cares for you, though you can't never see 'Im or walk out with 'Im." From this time, she tried to do Bella many little kindnesses, but, saving this one instance, the servant was always on her guard and never again opened her heart to Mavis.