“Anything I can get,” was the reply.
“And in the meantime——” he began, nervously.
“In the meantime I’m living on the Wheelers,” said the girl, pressing her lips together; “that was what you were going to say, wasn’t it?”
“I was not going to say anything of the kind,” said Fraser, warmly. “I was not thinking of it.”
“Well, it’s true,” said Poppy, defiantly.
“It isn’t true,” said Fraser, “because you will pay them back.”
“Shall we turn back?” said the girl.
Fraser turned and walked beside her, and, glancing furtively at the pale, proud face, wondered how to proceed.
“I should be delighted if you would come to Bittlesea,” he said, earnestly, “and I’m sure if Flower should ever turn up again, he would say it was the best thing you could have done.”
“Thank you, but I prefer to stay here,” was the reply, “and I don’t wish to be ungrateful, but I wish that people would not trouble me with their charity.”