“_Yes_--marm!--I’m a-comin’--I’m--a-coming! The top floor’s a-wantin’ coals hasty, marm; and a-gettin’ nasty about the size of the scuttles!” She came blithely into the room, and, screwing up her mouth, said, with a wise nod of the head: “That’s one on the tender for ’er!” Caroline suppressed a smile, and said reprovingly: “I made no complaint about the size of the coal-scuttles, Victoria.” Victoria May Alice sniffed: “Lor bless yer, no,” said she; “but them coal-scuttles is what I calls a vegitable halloocination.... You ain’t one to complain; but it’s about time some one did it for yer.... My word, she do run it fine with them egg-cups o’ coal! She don’t dare let _me_ fill the bucket--so I gets off that job!” Sniff. Caroline sighed: “Ah, Victoria, she has to practise economy.” Victoria May Alice nodded her head seriously: “There’s some kinds of economy as is religion, and some kinds as is against religion, mem,” said she. “She’s always talking of savin’ for that blackguard son of hers in Australia.” She came near to Caroline Baddlesmere and added in a hoarse whisper--“My solemn opinion is the feller is doin’ his five years’ hard.” “Now, now, Victoria--you are descending to scandal!” “Perhaps I am--and again, perhaps I ain’t. Who’d be writing to her from Wormwood Scrubbs Prison but her own relations--garn! D’yer think----” “Now, now, Victoria!” Victoria prepared to depart, but hesitated at the door: “If Master Oliver’s a-wantin’ of anythink, lady, jest you put yer ’ead over the rail and ’owl for it,” said she. Loud sniff. “It’s no good being backward and modest in this ’ouse--nor, for that, in this dirty city.... They----” There was a furious ringing of a bell below, and the racket was followed by an irritable yell: “Victoria--May--Yall--liss!” Victoria May Alice sniffed: “My eye!” said she--“she’ll thump my ’ed when I go down!” And yelling where she stood: “Yes--marm--I’m a-coming!” she turned to Caroline and added in a confidential whisper: “No, lidy--it’s no gain being backward and modest. _She_ don’t understand it, bless yer. Thinks you’re weak--or can’t pay yer bill. And, bless yer, lidy, I don’t a-mind a-carryin’ up of the scuttles--not to _this_ floor.” Caroline nodded anxiously: “Run along, Victoria, like a good girl.” “Yes, lidy,” said she. Loud sniff. As she turned to go she caught sight of Noll smoking in bed. She smuggled a laugh into her hand: “The ridic’lous little creature,” said she, and disappeared. The door softly shut after her, and her weary young feet could be heard shuffling down the stairs. “I say, Julia,” said Noll, from his bed--“ain’t it time we had a meal?” Caroline Baddlesmere looked up: “There’s some bread soaked in milk for you, Noll--on the table. I will heat it for you.” The boy’s stomach turned against it. He shook his head: “I’m afraid, mother, I can’t eat it,” he said.... “I’m sorry.”