"You shouldn't play tricks on her," I said gravely; "she has been a good friend to you." "Oh, I don't know about that," said Sophy, with a rebellious toss of her head. "She makes me pay for it, nagging at me morning, noon, and night. But there, I ain't going to say nothink agin 'er. She's got a temper, and so 'ave I." "She has been greatly worried, Sophy; you must be gentle with her." "I'll do anythink _you_ tell me; you don't bully a gal, you don't. If you told me to go and jump off the top of the Monument I'd do it--yes, I would, though you mightn't believe me." "I shall not ask you to do anything so stupid, but you can render me a service, if you have the will and the pluck." "Can I?" she exclaimed, eagerly. "I ain't much to look at, but I've got the pluck of a big 'un. Only you tell me what it is." "It will first depend upon whether your aunt can spare you. We will go in and see her." "She'll 'ave to spare me, and if she don't like it she may lump it. Now I know yer want me, I ain't going to let yer off." "You appear anxious to serve me, Sophy." "I'm going to serve yer," she said, with emphatic nods. "There's nothink mean about _you_. When a gent makes a promise he sticks to it." "A promise, Sophy!" "Didn't yer promise yer'd give me somethink to do for yer--and didn't yer say jest now it depends upon whether I've got the pluck to do it? That settles it. I've got the pluck, and the thing's as good as done. Nobody in all the world 'as been as good to me as you've been, and it ain't likely I shall ever forgit it. You'll see. One day when I'm Somebody," and here the grateful girl gyrated round me gently, and really with grace--"yer'll be proud of 'elping me on, and then I'll show yer I can remember." "Your aunt can't be left alone," I said, after a moment's consideration. "Do you know of any girl or woman who would take your place here while you are away for a week or two?" "I know twenty that'll be glad of the job. I'm to go away, am I?" Her eyes glittered at the prospect of an adventure. "I'm ready this minute Where to?" "I'll tell you all about it after I've spoken with your aunt. It isn't an easy task I shall set you, Sophy." "The 'arder it is the better I shall like it." "Do you think you could play a part?" I asked. "On the stage?" she cried, eagerly. "No; off the stage." "On or off," she said, with a shade of disappointment, "it don't matter. I'm game for anythink. Let's git aunty settled fust." Sophy, being now provided with a latch-key, opened the street door, and taking off her roller skates in the passage, preceded me down-stairs. Mrs. Middlemore was darning stockings, and seemed cheerful enough, but when she looked up and saw us her face assumed a colorless expression, and she pressed her hand to her side. Sophy winked at me, and said, in a whisper, "She's putting of it on; she ain't 'urt a bit, no more than you are."