"Very well, I will trust you. But, you see, it is what I have got to spend in the house this week, and so I shall have to ask people to give me credit until you can pay it back," explained Mrs. Brown.
"Yes; I see. I understand," said Jessie. "And, of course, you never have credit, Mrs. Brown?"
"Not now. Not as a regular thing. But, you remember, Brown was ill a long time last year, and there was no help for it but to get into debt. Thank God, these debts are nearly all paid off now; but we have had a hard time of it, Jessie, to keep our heads above water sometimes."
Jessie opened her eyes in amazement. "Why, everybody thought you had got a little fortune somewhere!" she exclaimed. "We knew Mr. Brown was ill, and couldn't work; but it didn't seem to make any difference, and you all held your heads as high as ever. Mother said this again and again."
"I did not know that we ever held our heads above our neighbours," said Mrs. Brown, quickly. "Of course, we did not want it talked about that we were sometimes glad to have a dinner of dry bread, and to sell all our best furniture. I tell you this, Jessie, that you may understand that I cannot afford to lose this money I am going to lend you. Now, how will you manage to send it?" asked Mrs. Brown, in conclusion.
"Polly hasn't gone to school yet. She knows where to take it, and I know where father keeps the book. Oh, won't he be glad when he comes home, and I tell him he can go and see about the funeral as soon as he has done work! Why, we never did anything for you when you wanted it, but you are ready to help us all you can," added Jessie.
"Well, for one thing, you did not know how we were pushed. You thought we had a fortune, so that it was not your fault that we were sometimes hungry," said Mrs. Brown. "But when you can do a neighbour a kind turn, do it, whatever it may be. Now, let me sweep up the room and make you comfortable, while Polly goes to pay the club." And as she spoke Mrs. Brown fetched brush and broom, and soon made the kitchen neat and tidy.
"I didn't feel as though I could do anything this morning," said Jessie.
"I dare say not, my dear. Things are hard with you just now, I know; but I have always found it a good rule not to let anything interfere with the sweeping and cleaning. When Brown was ill, I seemed to lose heart sometimes; but I kept a clean floor and a tidy dresser, for it would have made me worse to see things all in a muddle."
When Jessie herself was made comfortable, and her lame foot placed on a pillow, Mrs. Brown went home, wondering whether she had done a wise thing or a foolish in parting with her money so readily. It would put her to some inconvenience through the week to be without ready money in her pocket, until it occurred to her that perhaps Fanny might lend her a few shillings. She resolved to tell her all about Jessie Collins, and ask her if she could let her have a little money until Collins could return what she had lent.