"It is very dreadful," she said; "very dreadful for Sarah and the children."
"And for you too, Miss Mackenzie."
"But about them, Mr Rubb. What can you do for them out of the business?"
He looked very blank, and made no immediate answer.
"I know you will feel for their position," she said. "You do; do you not?"
"Indeed I do, Miss Mackenzie."
"And you will do what you can. You can at any rate ensure them the interest of the money—of the money you know that came from me."
Still Mr Rubb sat in silence, and she thought that he must be stonyhearted. Surely he might undertake to do that, knowing, as he so well knew, the way in which the money had been obtained, and knowing also that he had already said that so much should be forthcoming out of the firm to make up a general income for the family of his late partner.
"Surely there will be no doubt about that, Mr Rubb."
"The Balls will claim the debt," said he hoarsely; and then, in answer to her inquiries, he explained that the sum she had lent had not, in truth, been hers to lend. It had formed part of the money that John Ball could claim, and Mr Slow held in his hands an acknowledgement of the debt from Rubb and Mackenzie. Of course, Mr Ball would claim that the interest should be paid to him; and he would claim the principal too, if, on inquiry, he should find that the firm would be able to raise it. "I don't know that he wouldn't be able to come upon the firm for the money your brother put into the business," said he gloomily. "But I don't think he'll be such a fool as that. He'd get nothing by it."