"Oh, good evening, sir," said Mrs. Middlemore, mournfully. "What are yer whispering about, Sophy?" "Only telling the gent," replied the unblushing girl, "not to speak too loud, 'cause of yer nerves, aunty." "It's all Sophy's doings, sir," moaned Mrs. Middlemore. "She made me put on a pair of rollers that's going to break 'er legs afore she's done with 'em. She's a double 'andful, sir; I can't manage 'er." "She has told me of the accident," I said, "and is very sorry for it. Sophy means well, Mrs. Middlemore." "I won't dispute with you, sir, but she'll be the death of me if she goes on as she's a-doing of now. You've been away a long time, sir." "Not so very long; I had important business in the country to attend to. Nothing has happened, except your accident, during my absence, I suppose?" "Nothink as I can think of, sir." "No more visitors in disguise; no more false summonses to the police court?" "No, sir--only I've got my fancies." "What kind of fancies?" Mrs. Middlemore looked timorously around, and Sophy answered for her. "There's a sperrit in the 'ouse, she ses. She 'ears it moving about, and she's ready to swear in the middle of the night that it's a-standing at the foot of the bed." "Do you also hear and see it, Sophy?" I asked. "Not me," replied Sophy, contemptuously. "It's a wide-awake sperrit, and makes itself scarce when I'm about." "Ah, well," I said, "there's no accounting for fancies. Let us get to business, Mrs. Middlemore. I intend to rob you of Sophy for a little while." "Rob me of Sophy, sir!" exclaimed Mrs. Middlemore. "What on earth am I to do without 'er?" "Oh, you will get along very well without her----" "But you don't know what a 'elp she is to me, and 'ow good she's been. I've got that fond of 'er that I don't like 'er to be out of my sight. You're joking, sir, ain't yer?" "Not at all," said I, smiling at this sudden display of affection. "I have something for Sophy to do, and if she undertakes it she will get well paid for the job." "Never mind about my being paid for it," interposed Sophy; "I'm going to do it, whatever it is." "And leave me 'ere all alone!" whimpered Mrs. Middlemore. "You will not be alone. The first thing in the morning a girl shall be engaged to keep in the house with you, and I will pay her wages; and you shall have an allowance while Sophy's away. Remember what I have done for you, and don't make any further objections." "I'm sure you've been very good, sir," said Mrs. Middlemore, her trouble lessened by the prospect of gain; the virtues of golden ointment are not to be excelled. "Might I take the liberty of arksing whether it's got anythink to do with Mr. Felix?" "I cannot answer you," I said. "What Sophy will do will be a secret between her and me for the present. By and by, perhaps, she will tell you all about it." "You've got a way with you, sir, that nobody can't resist. You'll come back to me, Sophy?" "Course I will, aunty," said the girl, "when the job's done."