"We can try, ma'am," was the answer.
"You must stay with him while I run up and light the gas," she remarked.
The man looked at the unpromising staircase, and at Mrs. Mortomley, panting and out of breath, and shook his head.
"I wouldn't try it if I was you," he said.
They placed him in an arm-chair, and then with mattresses brought from upstairs, made a comfortable enough couch in the back drawing-room.
When these preparations were completed, Dolly motioned the cabman to follow her into the hall.
"Haven't you got anybody here with you, ma'am?" he asked, with a rough sympathy in his voice and manner.
"I am all alone for the present," she answered. "Will you do something for me?"
"Aye, that I will, if so be I can," was the ready answer.
"First, how much do I owe you?" and when that pecuniary matter was settled to his entire satisfaction, Mrs. Mortomley said,