“Not in a general way; but to me, just for the sake of telling the truth to an old friend, you know.” “Well, if you must know, she’s an old cat.” “Exactly,” said Jane, with a nod of the head. “One of your charitable women.” “Gives away prayer-books and Bibles, no doubt.” “Plenty of them; tracts, too; but the Bible-House always finds the books, make sure of that.” “Isn’t the woman to give away velvet-bound prayer-books or things of that kind at her own expense, ah?” “What, she? Well, yes, if the person she gave ’em to was rich enough not to care for them. On Christmas-day I have known her do such things.” “When?” “Why, what do you care? She won’t give you one, I’ll be bound.” “I wasn’t thinking of that—only talking for talk’s sake.” “Promiscuous?” “Exactly. Now tell me, just for fun, you know, who did she ever give a prayer-book to?” Ellen drew her chair close to Jane, and spoke in a low voice. “That’s a family secret, Jane Kelly, and you must not ask me about it.” “A family secret; just the thing—and not tell me! That isn’t like you, Ellen; such old friends as we have been. Didn’t I always keep your little affairs close?” “I know; but one word about this would cost me my place.” “But who’s going to say the word? Not Jane Kelly, you may be bound.” “No, I could trust you; but what good would there be in telling?” “True enough,” said Jane, leaning back in her chair. “I don’t suppose there is anything to tell. Houses like this are always stupid places for a clever girl to live in. At the hospital one has variety, and can boss it over the women. I might have known that you had nothing to tell.” “But I have—only it’s dangerous. Bend your head close, Jane, and I’ll tell you all about it,—enough to make you cry.” Jane turned her head, and Ellen stooped toward her, speaking low and eagerly. If Jane was interested, she only gave indications of it now and then by a brief question. “And she did not know where the girl went—has no idea about her?” “No, she hasn’t; and it troubles her—my! how it does trouble her. When they come, there’ll be questions she won’t know how to answer. I wouldn’t be in her place for both your diamond ear-rings.” “Has she tried to find her?” “Of course she has, but quietly, you know. Had a detective here one day up in her own room. Thought we servants did not know; but there’s nothing going on that we do not understand.” “Exactly!” said Jane Kelly, leaning back in her chair as if tired of the subject. “Now tell me who are the people down-stairs?” “Oh, it’s a meeting of the Society—the annual meeting. Quite a mission—fashionable people from the Hill, and pious people from the side-streets—come early and go home by eleven. They are likely to be upon us any minute.” “Well, what am I to do when they come?” inquired Jane.