“Who is going out of her way? Not I. He’s as good as anybody else, I suppose. And one must have somebody to talk to sometimes.” These last words she uttered so plaintively, showing so plainly that she was unable to endure the simple unchanging dulness of a life of labour, that Lucy’s heart was thoroughly softened towards her. She had the great gift of being not the less able to sympathize with the weakness of the weak because of her own abnormal strength. And so it came to pass that she worked for her friend,--stitching and mending when the girl ought to have stitched and mended for herself,--reading to her, even though but little of what was read might be understood,--yielding to her and assisting her in all things, till at last it came to pass that in truth she loved her. And such love and care were much wanted, for the elder girl soon found that the younger was weak in health as well as weak in spirit. There were days on which she could not,--or at any rate did not go to her office. When six months had passed by Lucy had not once been absent since she had begun her new life. “Have you seen that man who has come to look at our house?” asked Sophy one day as they were walking down to the office. Lucy had seen a strange man, having met him on the stairs. “Isn’t he a fine fellow?” “For anything that I know. Let us hope that he is very fine,” said Lucy laughing. “He’s about as handsome a chap as I think I ever saw.” “As for being a chap the man I saw must be near forty.” “He is a little old I should say, but not near that. I don’t think he can have a wife or he wouldn’t come here. He’s an engineer, and he has the care of a steam-engine in the City Road,--that great printing place. His name is Abraham Hall, and he’s earning three or four pounds a week. A man like that ought to have a wife.” “How did you learn all about him?” “It’s all true. Sally heard it from Mrs. Green.” Mrs. Green was the keeper of the lodging-house and Sally was the maid. “I couldn’t help speaking to him yesterday because we were both at the door together. He talked just like a gentleman although he was all smutty and greasy.” “I am glad he talked like a gentleman.” “I told him we lodged here and that we were telegraph girls, and that we never got home till half-past eight. He would be just the beau for you because he is such a big steady-looking fellow.” “I don’t want a beau,” said Lucy angrily. “Then I shall take him myself,” said Sophy as she entered the office.