"I hope you are better," she said; "and if you will give me the name and address of your friends, I will send to them at once."
"Friends!" said Mrs. Lovett. "How came you to think that I had any friends?"
"Well, I hardly thought you were without. Don't most folks have friends of some sort or another?"
"Ah, I had forgotten. I have a friend with me—a very dear friend, who will not forsake me. I have more of them at home—for I have a home."
"Oh," thought the landlady, "she is raving."
"Bring me my stays," said Mrs. Lovett.
The stays, which, together with the rest of her apparel, now had got quite dry, was brought to her, and in a little secret pocket in them, Mrs. Lovett dived with her two fingers, and found a damp five pound note.
"Take that," she said, "for your trouble. I do not want any change. Only be so good now as to help me to dress, and tell me what the time is."
"Three o'clock," said the landlady, "and I'm sure you can't think how pleased I am that you are better. Do you really think you are strong enough to go home yet?"
"Yes. What I have to do at home will lend me strength, if I wanted it."