"He's a gentleman," repeated the hostess of the "Trusty Man" with emphasis and decision; "and he's fallen on bad times. He may have to beg his bread along the road or earn a shilling here and there as best he can, but nothing"--and here Miss Tranter shook her forefinger defiantly in the air--"nothing will alter the fact that he's a gentleman!" Prue squeezed her fat red hands together, breathed hard, and not knowing exactly what else to do, grinned. Her mistress looked at her severely. "You grin like a Cheshire cat," she remarked. "I wish you wouldn't." Prue at once pursed in her wide mouth to a more serious double line. "How much did they give you?" pursued Miss Tranter. "'Apenny each," answered Prue. "How much have you made for yourself to-day all round!" "Sevenpence three fardin's," confessed Prue, with an appealing look. "You know I don't allow you to take tips from my customers," went on Miss Tranter. "You must put those three farthings in my poor-box." "Yes'm!" sighed Prue meekly. "And then you may keep the sevenpence." "Oh thank y' 'm! Thank y', Mis' Tranter!" And Prue hugged herself ecstatically. "You'se 'orful good to me, you is, Mis' Tranter!" Miss Tranter stood a moment, an upright inflexible figure, surveying her. "Do you say your prayers every night and morning as I told you to do?" Prue became abnormally solemn. "Yes, I allus do, Mis' Tranter, wish I may die right 'ere if I don't!" "What did I teach you to say to God for the poor travellers who stop at the 'Trusty Man'?" "'That it may please Thee to succour, help and comfort all that are in danger, necessity and tribulation, we beseech Thee to hear us Good Lord!'" gabbled Prue, shutting her eyes and opening them again with great rapidity. "That's right!" And Miss Tranter bent her head graciously. "I'm glad you remember it so well! Be sure you say it to-night. And now you may go, Prue." Prue went accordingly, and Miss Tranter, resuming her knitting, returned to the bar, and took up her watchful position opposite the clock, there to remain patiently till closing time. CHAPTER VII