A horrible feeling surged over me. I felt it rise, swell, crash over my head like a flood of water--a conviction that I was listening to no tale, but to a _call_--that Providence had heard my cry for work, and had answered it in the person of Wenham Thorold--handsome and haggard-- in the person of little Thorold girls with holes in their stockings, of little Thorold boys who shrieked, and a Thorold baby with problematic hair that might, or might not, curl. I cowered at the prospect. All very well to talk of my own way, and my own niche, all very well to dream of fairy wands, and of the soothing, self-ingratiating role of transforming other people's grey into gold, while the said people sat agape, transfixed with gratitude and admiration, _but_--how extraordinarily prosaic and unromantic the process became when worked out in sober black and white. To mend stockings, to stifle shrieks, to be snubbed by a cross housekeeper; probably, in addition, to be sent to Coventry by the handsome and haggard one, under suspicion of manoeuvring for his affections. Yes, at the slightest interference he would certainly put me down as a designing female, with designs on his hand. At this last thought I sniggered, and Aunt Eliza looked severe. "_No_ subject for mirth, Evelyn. I'm surprised! _You_ who are always talking of wanting to help--" "But could I help him? I will, if I can. I have money and time, and am longing for work. Could I banish the housekeeper, and introduce a variation by paying to take her place?" Aunt Eliza looked at the ceiling, and informed it obviously, though dumbly, that when nieces talked nonsense it was waste of breath to reply. Outraged dignity spoke in her rigid back, in the thin contour of her cheek. "A Wastneys to speak of being a housekeeper!" I realised that I had gone too far, for to jest at the expense of the family pride was an unpardonable offence, so I added hastily:-- "Or I might take a flat hard by, and do good by stealth! Win the housekeeper's heart, and then take charge of the five when she gads forth. Some of the other tenants might need help too. In those great big buildings, where scores of families live under one roof, there must always be _somebody_ who needs a helping hand. It would be rather a charming role to play good fairy to the mansions!"