"What is to be done?" said Lawson, "Something ought to be done to stop it. Your mother will certainly live beyond her means, and then you will all get into no end of a mess. Do forgive me for taking an interest; the fact is, George was a great friend of mine once."
"Oh, please don't give him up!" said Effie. "If good men turn against him, what chance has he, poor fellow?"
"I won't, if you wish me to look after him," said Lawson, giving her a quick glance.
At this moment two nurses from St. Joseph's Hospital, who were crossing the street, saw Effie. They noticed her earnest face, the sparkle in her eyes; they also observed the glance which the handsome young medical student gave her. The women nudged one another, smiled, and went on.
Effie never saw them.
"Let us walk a little faster," said Lawson, who was not so unobservant. He felt vexed that the women should see him with Effie, but now that he was with her he must at least unburden his mind.
"George told me," said Effie,—"perhaps it is not wrong to repeat it to you,—that he is likely to make a great deal of money."
"Did he? Did he tell you that—did he happen to say how much?"
"Well, he spoke as if money were very easily earned," said Effie. "He said something about getting fifty pounds this week."
"I must tell you the truth," said Lawson. "There's no help for it. Your brother will go straight to the bad if he is not rescued, and that at once."