"I know," answered Bessie, laughing, "because you've done as good as tell it already: 'A merry heart is a continual feast.' But I haven't got the merry heart, you see. Now, why couldn't it have been arranged for me to be Mrs. Waring's partner?" "That I cannot tell. That's the Sunshine Patch meant for me. Your Sunshine Patch is all round you already, only you are given to looking too much over the fence." * * * * * Thus, without any pillar of cloud, or shining light, or glittering gems, guidance came. CHAPTER IX A WOMAN'S WHIMS It did not take Mrs. Colston long to sell up some of her furniture and the goodwill of her mangle, and settle down in her new quarters and to her new duties. By that time the three hundred pounds had not only been drawn out, but used, partly in paying debts and partly in adding to stock. On one point Phebe was very firm, and that was that a legal document be drawn up acknowledging the loan and agreeing to pay interest at five per cent. Not that Phebe considered that would cover all her liability. "As I prosper--if I do prosper," she said to Mrs. Colston, "you shall prosper too. We will be real partners." "I don't want any of that lawyer's writing. Your word is sufficient," said Mrs. Colston. "That may be, but I might be taken away, or some one else might step in," replied Phebe quietly. Mrs. Colston quickly saw what was in Phebe's mind, and wisely forbore saying anything further. When Nanna had been duly installed, not only by mistress Phebe and Janie but also by their majesties, Queenie and Jack, Phebe took hold of the business reins in true-going style. The first thing was to institute several reforms. One class of goods which had usually been sold under different prices received one fixed price; charges to different customers were made uniform. Reynolds was shocked. "So-and-so," said he, "will think the things are common if you don't put the price on." "Then shall we level up, instead of levelling down?" asked the shrewd mistress. "Oh, dear, no; for Mrs. Dash will deal somewhere else if she doesn't think she's having things extra cheap." "I cannot help all these little peculiarities," said Phebe. "I mean to run this business on true, straight lines, whatever happens." Reynolds wanted to say something about it being a woman's whim, but somehow or other the words would not come out. But a climax was reached when he felt that to keep silence longer would be guilty; this was when Phebe announced that in future the entire establishment would be closed every Saturday evening at eight o'clock. "Mrs. Waring!" he exclaimed; "you have no idea what sacrifice you are making. If it is your assistants you are considering, why not close earlier on Wednesdays?" "I intend to do that as well," she replied graciously; "but I may as well be frank with you and say it is _not_ out of consideration to my assistants I am closing earlier on Saturdays."