Florence poured her words out in such a rapid stream that Lucy could not launch a word on the current. “My dear sister,” she said, “to my mind there is no shame in any honest work or domestic arrangement. But it seems to me that one imports pain into these domestic arrangements precisely in the degree in which money matters and ‘profits’ come into them rather than individual selection and personal harmony. And certainly while I can earn bread in any other way I shall not bring a half crazy woman to live in the house with Hugh.” “Well, still there are others,” persisted Florence. “There’s the Arcuts’ son. He isn’t an idiot; he is quite gentlemanly; he just has a want. Of course it is painful for his people, and they pay ever so much for a home apart for himself and his man-servant. They like him to live in a lady’s house and to sit at her table, so as to keep up refined habits. Or there are many well-to-do married couples who like to board, because they don’t get on very well alone together, or the wife doesn’t care for the trouble of housekeeping. I believe Jem and I may do it, when we are old and the girls are married off.” “Florence,” repeated Lucy patiently, “I tell you again, you miss the whole point of the position. I did not do this for money. I did it because under present conditions it seemed an opportunity for the interchange of neighbourly service. If Charlie had been at home, I am sure he would have asked the boy to be our guest for a week or two, till some fit home was found for him, which Charlie would have helped to find. I have done the next best thing—the one thing possible under present circumstances, and I receive a favour in giving one, which is always the most wholesome and pleasant thing for both parties concerned.” “It seems to me that you consider everybody and everything except your own position and the feelings of your relations,” returned Florence. “But it is high time we were downstairs; and I must put the whole matter out of my mind for the present, or I shall not be fit to receive my visitors. That ever I should live to see the day——” She bustled off leaving her sentence unfinished, Lucy meekly following her.