"Very highly connected, on her mother's side. Her father was a lieutenant in the navy, and very respectable too, I believe; though I know nothing of him."
"That she should be a lady is, of course, indispensable," says Mrs. Redmond, with all the pride that ought to belong to softgoods people. "I need hardly say that, I think. But why does she not appeal for help to her mother's relations?"
"Because she prefers honest work to begging from those who up to this have taken no notice of her."
"I admire her," says Mrs. Redmond, warmly. "If you think she will be satisfied with forty pounds, I should like to try what she could do with the children."
"I am very glad you have so decided. I know no place in which I would rather see a friend of mine than here."
"Thank you, my dear. Then will you write to her, or shall I?"
"Let me write to her first, if you don't mind: I think I can settle everything."
"Mind?—no, indeed: it is only too good of you to take so much trouble about me."
To which Clarissa says, prettily,—
"Do not put it in that light: there is no pleasure so keen as that of being able to help one's friends."