But she took the bill and the money to Mrs. Scott that same afternoon, while Brown and a friend, who understood the value of watches, went to see Judd. The man began talking to Brown at first very much as he had talked to Fanny; but he soon learned that the police would be called in, and the whole case taken before a magistrate, if he did not do as Brown wished. Sorely against his will, he had to give a receipt for the ten shillings Fanny had first paid, and acknowledge this as part payment for the watch. Then followed a wrangle with Brown's friend, whom Judd learned was as well acquainted with the value of these watches as himself. The storm raged round the sum of four shillings, which Brown's friend declared had already been paid in excess of the value of the watch. Fifteen shillings was a fair retail price; and, as Fanny had paid nineteen shillings, he demanded that four shillings should be returned to her father; for even at this reduced price, Judd would receive a fair profit, and more than this he had no right to demand.
After a good deal of haggling the four shillings were returned, and the collecting-card receipted in such a way, that although fifteen shillings only were paid, Fanny received a full discharge for the whole amount she had contracted to pay, and no further claim could be made upon her in the future.
This settled, Brown went to hear what the people had to say who had sent to tell him that Fanny was dead. Their explanation was very much like what he had heard from the other Mr. Brown, as to the similarity of the girls' names, but he also added that the violence of the epidemic for a short time had taxed their resources, and compelled their officials to work long beyond their usual hours. Mr. Brown was asked to take these circumstances into his consideration in making complaint about the mistake that had arisen.
With regard to the expense he had incurred, in paying for the funeral of a stranger, ample compensation would be made at once; so that when he left, Brown felt he had very little to grumble about.
A few weeks later, Fanny was sent to a convalescent home at the seaside, and when she returned she was allowed to go direct home to her friends. She was looking very different then from what she did when the Vicar saw her in the hospital. She looked older and graver too, for the bitter experience she had passed through she was never likely to forget. She was wiser too, and more diffident; less eager to receive high wages than to secure a comfortable home, when she would be able once more to take up the threads of life, and learn to be useful.
She had said she would like to go back to Mrs. Lloyd's, but she had small hope of being able to do so, until one day Miss Martin sent to tell her that Mrs. Lloyd's servant had been obliged to go home, because her mother was ill, and Mrs. Lloyd would be glad if Fanny could go to her for a few weeks.
The girl needed no second invitation. She went the same day, and the few weeks extended to months and even years; for the thought of going to a new place was one of horror to Fanny, and though she had to dress plainly, and be careful and economical, there was not a more happy, healthy, winsome lassie than Fanny Brown, who had once been so wilful and selfish as to well-nigh break her mother's heart.
THE END
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