"I'll take care of the money, sir," answered Mrs. Belk, grimly. "He'll make hay while the sun shines, and I'll take care when the sun doesn't shine that we'll have something to live on."
"Do you want me to help you in this, then?"
"In a sort of way, sir; but not for nothing."
Maxwell smiled.
"Really, I don't know what you can do for me."
"You wait, sir, and I'll tell. To git a start in London requires money, and me and my son want fifty pounds to give us a start."
"Indeed. I'm afraid I can't advance the money."
"So you say now, sir; but when you know what fifty pounds 'ull buy, perhaps you will."
Archie's curiosity was now fully aroused, owing to the significance of her words. There was evidently something important behind all this apparently idle preamble, and he waited with some anxiety as to what she was going to tell him.
"You are engaged to Miss Pethram, sir, I'm told," said Mrs. Belk, abruptly.