"Is this young man your brother? I thought you was alone in the world?" said the cook.
"No, he's not my brother. He's my pal," answered the girl.
Mrs. Brown put her hand on Meg's shoulder. "Then take my advice, my girl, and don't have nought to do with him. I expect he's a worthless young man, isn't he?"
"He's the best man in the world," said the girl. "If it hadn't been for Jem I guess I should be dead by this time." Then seeing her questioner's perplexed face she added, "You don't understand, but it's all right. Don't you be afeared for me."
When a moment or two afterwards Dent placed five shillings in her hand, two of which he explained came from his master, Meg coloured.
"I don't think, it fair," she said looking down at the silver. "I've not sung as well as all that. You've paid me too high."
"Not a bit of it," said Dent. "You ought to make your fortune with that voice of yours, my girl."
Meg looked up with a laugh.
"It's wonderful kind of you all," she said, "and if ever you come to London to see Bostock's wild beasts, I'll ask that you shall come in to see me among the lions without paying a penny."
With a grateful smile she took up the old battered hat which had been returned to her, and made her way out into the dark garden. She felt happier for all the kindness that had been shown to her, and decided to stay somewhere near till the morning. So, hunting about for a place in which to sleep, she came upon a summer house, in which she lay down.