"It's slow work, Marster,—slow. But Lo's a good teacher, 'n' I'm tryin',—I'm tryin' hard."
"It's not slow, Sir, seein' father hed n't 'dvantages, like me. He was a"——
She stopped, lowering her voice, a hot flush of shame on her face.
"I know."
"Be n't that'll 'xcuse, Marster, seein' I knowed noght at the beginnin'? Thenk o' that, Marster. I'm tryin' to be a different man. Fur Lo. I AM tryin'."
Holmes did not notice him.
"Good-night, Lois," he said, kindly, as she lighted his lamp.
He put some money on the table.
"You must take it," as she looked uneasy. "For Tiger's board, say. I never see him now. A bright new frock, remember."
She thanked him, her eyes brightening, looking at her father's patched coat.