"Thank you, Mrs. Jones," he said. "I have entered your name and address, and I hope we shall see you again soon. This young lady," he indicated Mary, "will take you over to our clothes department, and if we haven't anything to fit Tommy you must come again on Wednesday, when we shall have a larger supply."
"I'll take the nearest you've got to-day," she decided, promptly. "Wot about the tea?"
"We shall be glad to ask you to accept a small packet," Brooks answered.
"By the bye, have you a pension from the railway company?"
"Not a penny, sir," she declared, "and a burning shame it is."
"We must see into it," Brooks said. "You see that gentleman behind me?"
"Him with the squint?" she asked, doubtfully.
Brooks bent over his book.
"Mr. Fellows, his name is," he said. "He is one of our helpers here, and he is a lawyer. You can tell him all about it, and if we think you have a claim we will try and see what we can do for you. Now, if you please, we must get on. Come in any time, Mrs. Jones, and talk to us. Some one is, always here. What is your name, please?"
"Amy Hardinge!"
There was a howl of derision from the rear. The girl, pallid, with large dark eyes, a somewhat tawdry hat and torn skirt, turned angrily around.