They walked along together. With a taste of happiness, say once a week, Alice would have been a merry girl. She was so content to be with Richard that she never heeded where he was taking her. But when she found him going into a shop with a ham in the window, she drew back. “No, Richard,” she said; “I can't let you feed me and Arthur too! Indeed I can't! It would be downright robbery!” “Nonsense!” returned Richard; “I want some supper, and you must keep me company!” “You must excuse me!” she insisted. “It's all right for Arthur: he's ill; but for _me_, I couldn't look myself in the face in the glass if I let you feed _me_--a strong girl, fit for anything!” “Now look here!” said Richard; “I must come to the point, and you must be reasonable! Ain't you my sister?--and don't I know you haven't enough to eat?” “Who told you that?” “No one. Any fool could see it with half an eye!” “Artie has been telling tales!” “Not one! Just listen to me. I earn so much a week now, and after paying for everything, have something over to spend as I please. If you refuse me for a brother, say so, and I will leave you alone: why should a man tear his heart out looking on where he can't help!” She stood motionless, and made him no answer. “Look here!” he said; “there is the money for our supper: if you will not go with me and eat it, I will throw it in the street.” With her ingrained feeling of the preciousness of money Alice did not believe him. “Oh, no, Richard! you would never do that!” she said. The same instant the coins rang faintly from the middle of the street, and a cab passed over them. Alice gave a cry as of bodily pain, and started to pick them up. Richard held her fast. “It's your supper, Richard!” she almost shrieked, and struggled to get away after the money. “Yes,” he answered; “and yours goes after it, except you come in and share it with me!” As he spoke he showed her his hand with shillings in it. She turned and entered the shop. Richard ordered a good meal. Alice stopped in the middle of her supper, laid down her knife and fork, and burst out crying. “What _is_ the matter?” said Richard, alarmed. “I can't bear to think of that money! I must go and look for it!” sobbed Alice. Richard laughed, the first time for days. “Alice,” he said, “the money was well spent: I got my own way with it!” As she ate and drank, a little colour rose in her face, and on Richard fell a shadow of the joy of his creator, beholding his work, and seeing it good. CHAPTER XLIV. _A DOOR OPENED IN HEAVEN_.