"Unfortunately I know nobody here," she went on; "it's very hard to get anything when there's no one to speak for you." "It must be! But, lor! you must bear up. It's a long lane that has no turning, as they say." "Only there is no telling where the turning may lead; a lane is better than a bog." "Wouldn't she do for Pattenden's?" suggested the woman musingly. "For whom?" exclaimed Mary. "Do you think I can get something? Who are they?" "James?" "Pattenden's?" he repeated. "An' what; would she dae at Pattenden's?" "Why, be agent, to be sure--same as you were!" Mary glanced from one to the other with; anxiety. "Weel, noo, that isn't at a' a bad idea," said Mr. Macpherson meditatively; "dae ye fancy ye could sell books, young leddy, on commeession--a hauf-sovereign, say, for every order ye took? I'm thinkin' a young woman micht dae a verra fair trade at it." "Oh yes," she replied; "I'm sure I could. Half a sovereign each one? Where do I go? Will they take me?" "I dinna anteecipate ye'll fin' much deefficulty aboot them takin' ye: they dinna risk onythin' by that! I'll gi'e ye the address. They are publishers, and ye just ax for their Mr. Collins when ye go there; tell him ye're wishful tae represent them wi' ane o' their publeecations. If ye like I'll write your name on ane o' ma ain cards; an' ye can send it in tae him." "Oh, do!" she said. "Ye must na imagine it's a fortune ye'll be makin'," he observed; "it's different tae ma ain position wi' the wines an' speerits, ye ken: wi' Pilcher's it's a fixed salary, an' Pilcher's pay ma expenses." "Pilcher's pay _our_ expenses!" affirmed Charlotte the thoughtful. "They dae," acquiesced the traveller; "there's a sicht o' saving oot o' sax-and-twenty shillin's a day tae an economical parent. But wi' Pattenden's it's precarious; are week guid, an' anither week bad." "I am not afraid," said Mary boldly; "whatever I do, it is better than nothing! I'll go there to-morrow, the first thing. Very many thanks; and to you too, Mrs. Macpherson, for thinking of it." "I'm sure I'm glad I did; there's no saying but what you may be doing first-rate after a bit. It's a beginning for you, any way." "That it is! But why can't the publishers pay a salary, the same as your husband's firm?" "Ah! they don't; anyhow, not at the beginning. Besides, James has been with Pilcher's ten years now; he wasn't earning so much when he started with them." "'Spect one reason is because such a heap more people buy spirits than books!" said Charlotte. "Pa!" "Eh, ma lassie?" "The lady's going to be an agent----" "Weel?" "Then, pa," said Charlotte, "won't we all drink to the lady's luck in a sample?" "Ye veecious midget," ejaculated her father wrathfully, "are ye no' ashamed tae mak' sic a proposeetion? Ye'll no' drink a sample, will ye, young leddy?" "I will not indeed!" answered Mary. "No' but what ye're welcome." "Thanks," she said; "I will not, really."