"And they wish for such instruction?"
"I believe they would welcome it. But they know nothing about the plan—and must not know," he added very distinctly, meeting Mrs. Barclay's eyes with praiseworthy steadiness.
"What makes you think they would be willing to pay for my services, then? Or, indeed, how could they do it?"
"They are not to do it. They are to know nothing whatever about it. They are not able to pay for any such advantages. Here comes in the benevolence of my plan. You are to do it for me, and I am to pay the worth of the work; which I will do to the full. It will much more than meet the cost of your stay in the house. You can lay up money," he said, smiling.
"Phil," said Mrs. Barclay, "what is behind this very odd scheme?"
"I do not know that anything—beyond the good done to two young girls, and the good done to you."
"It is not that," she said. "This plan never originated in your regard for my welfare solely."
"No. I had an eye to theirs also."
"Only to theirs and mine, Phil?" she asked, bending a keen look upon him. He laughed, and changed his position, but did not answer.
"Philip, Philip, what is this?"