“Dear, dear!” said the woman; “and does this really mean money?”
“It means five shillings,” said Molly.
“Ten” was on Nora's lips; but Molly silenced her with a look.
“There's no use in overpaying her; she won't be half as civil,” whispered Molly to Nora.
“It's five shillings you'll get,” she repeated in a firm voice. “Here, I have got the change; you can look in my purse.”
“Molly opened her purse as she spoke. The woman, a Mrs. Terry by name, did look in. She saw the shine of gold and several half-crowns.
“Well, to be sure!” she said. “But you'll promise not to get me into a scrape?”
“We won't even ask you your name. You can let us out of the house in time for us to catch the first train from Euston. We shall be off and away before we are discovered.”
“And we'll remember you all our lives if you'll help us,” said Nora. Then she added, tears filling her pretty eyes, “It's my father, please, kind woman; he has been shot at and is very ill.”
“And who wants to keep you from your father, you poor thing?” said the woman. “Oh, if it's that, and there's no lovers in the question, I don't mind helping you both. It don't do for young girls to be wandering about the streets alone at night. You come with me, honeys. I can't take you for nothing, but I'll give you supper and breakfast, and the best bed I can, for five shillings.”