"Would you be living in?" he was asked.
"I think I should be out all day."
"Jus' breakfast and supper? That's the usual, of course, isn't it? And full Sundays. That would be twelve shillings."
Twelve shillings was to be his wage from Mr. Pennyquick. He could not spend it all.
"I couldn't pay it," said Mr. Wriford and caught at the counter to assist himself to rise.
"Well, I am sorry, I'm sure," said the woman, and she added: "Hadn't you better rest a little?"
His difficulty in rising warned him that if he did get up he might be unable to stand. "I will, just a moment," he told her, "if you don't mind. It's very kind of you. I've had rather a long day."
She had said she was sorry, and she stood looking at him as though she were genuinely grieved and more than a little disturbed in mind. "How much could you pay?" she asked.
"I could pay ten."
"And when might you want to begin?"