"Blessyourheartalive!"saysshe，"nobodyevercomesnow。Theoutsideofthehouseisquiteenoughtowarnthemoff。Moresthepity，asIsay。Itusedtokeepmeinspirits，staggering'emall，oneafteranother，withthefrightfulhighrent——speciallythewomen，drat'em。'What'stherentofthishouse?'——'Hundredandtwentypounda-year!'——'Hundredandtwenty?why，thereain'tahouseinthestreetasletsformorethaneighty!'——Likelyenough，ma'am；
　　otherlandlordsmaylowertheirrentsiftheyplease；butthisherelandlordstickstohisrights，andmeanstohaveasmuchforhishouseashisfatherhadbeforehim!'——'Buttheneighbourhood'sgoneoffsincethen!'——'Hundredandtwentypound，ma'am。'——'Thelandlordmustbemad!'——'Hundredandtwentypound，ma'am。'——'Openthedooryouimpertinentwoman!'Lord!whatahappinessitwastosee'embounceout，withthatawfulrenta-ringingintheirearsalldownthestreet!"
　　Shestoppedonthesecond-floorlandingtotreatherselftoanotherchuckle，whileTrottleprivatelypostedupinhismemorywhathehadjustheard。"Twopointsmadeout，"hethoughttohimself:"thehouseiskeptemptyonpurpose，andthewayit'sdoneistoaskarentthatnobodywillpay。"
　　"Ah，dearyme!"saysBenjamin'smother，changingthesubjectonasudden，andtwistingbackwithahorrid，greedyquicknesstothoseawkwardmoney-matterswhichshehadbroacheddownintheparlour。
　　"Whatwe'vedone，onewayandanotherforMr。Forley，itisn'tinwordstotell!Thatnicelittlebitofbusinessofoursoughttobeabiggerbitofbusiness，consideringthetroublewetake，Benjaminandme，tomaketheimpupstairsashappyasthedayislong。IfgoodMr。ForleywouldonlypleasetothinkalittlemoreofwhatadealheowestoBenjaminandme——"
　　"That'sjustit，"saysTrottle，catchingherupshortindesperation，andseeinghisway，bythehelpofthoselastwordsofhers，toslippingcleverlythroughherfingers。"Whatshouldyousay，ifItoldyouthatMr。Forleywasnothinglikesofarfromthinkingaboutthatlittlematterasyoufancy?Youwouldbedisappointed，now，ifItoldyouthatIhadcometo-daywithoutthemoney?"——herlankoldjawfell，andhervillainousoldeyesglared，inaperfectstateofpanic，atthat!——"Butwhatshouldyousay，ifItoldyouthatMr。Forleywasonlywaitingformyreport，tosendmeherenextMonday，atdusk，withabiggerbitofbusinessforustwotodotogetherthaneveryouthinkfor?Whatshouldyousaytothat?"
　　TheoldwretchcamesoneartoTrottle，beforesheanswered，andjammedhimupconfidentiallysocloseintothecornerofthelanding，thathisthroat，inamanner，roseather。
　　"Canyoucountitoff，doyouthink，onmorethanthat?"saysshe，holdingupherfourskinnyfingersandherlongcrookedthumb，allofatremble，rightbeforehisface。
　　"Whatdoyousaytotwohands，insteadofone?"sayshe，pushingpasther，andgettingdown-stairsasfastashecould。
　　WhatshesaidTrottlethinksitbestnottoreport，seeingthattheoldhypocrite，gettingnextdoortolight-headedatthegoldenprospectbeforeher，tooksuchlibertieswithunearthlynamesandpersonswhichoughtnevertohaveapproachedherlips，andraineddownsuchanawfulshowerofblessingsonTrottle'shead，thathishairalmoststoodonendtohearher。Hewentondown-stairsasfastashisfeetwouldcarryhim，tillhewasbroughtupallstanding，asthesailorssay，onthelastflight，byagravatingBenjamin，lyingrightacrossthestair，andfallenoff，asmighthavebeenexpected，intoaheavydrunkensleep。
　　ThesightofhiminstantlyremindedTrottleofthecurioushalflikenesswhichhehadalreadydetectedbetweenthefaceofBenjaminandthefaceofanotherman，whomhehadseenatapasttimeinverydifferentcircumstances。Hedetermined，beforeleavingtheHouse，tohaveonemorelookatthewretchedmuddledcreature；andaccordinglyshookhimupsmartly，andproppedhimagainstthestaircasewall，beforehismothercouldinterfere。
　　"Leavehimtome；I'llfreshenhimup，"saysTrottletotheoldwoman，lookinghardinBenjamin'sface，whilehespoke。
　　Thefrightandsurpriseofbeingsuddenlywokeup，seemed，foraboutaquarterofaminute，tosoberthecreature。Whenhefirstopenedhiseyes，therewasanewlookinthemforamoment，whichstruckhometoTrottle'smemoryasquickandasclearasaflashoflight。
　　Theoldmaudlinsleepyexpressioncamebackagaininanotherinstant，andblurredoutallfurthersignsandtokensofthepast。
　　ButTrottlehadseenenoughinthemomentbeforeitcame；andhetroubledBenjamin'sfacewithnomoreinquiries。
　　"NextMonday，atdusk，"sayshe，cuttingshortsomemoreoftheoldwoman'spalaveraboutBenjamin'sindisgestion。"I'vegotnomoretimetospare，ma'am，to-night:pleasetoletmeout。"
　　Withafewlastblessings，afewlastdutifulmessagestogoodMr。
　　Forley，andafewlastfriendlyhintsnottoforgetnextMondayatdusk，Trottlecontrivedtostrugglethroughthesickeningbusinessofleave-taking；togetthedooropened；andtofindhimself，tohisownindescribablerelief，oncemoreontheoutersideoftheHouseToLet。
　　LETATLAST
　　"There，ma'am!"saidTrottle，foldingupthemanuscriptfromwhichhehadbeenreading，andsettingitdownwithasmarttapoftriumphonthetable。"MayIventuretoaskwhatyouthinkofthatplainstatement，asaguessonmypartandnotonMr。Jarber'sattheriddleoftheemptyHouse?"
　　ForaminuteortwoIwasunabletosayaword。WhenIrecoveredalittle，myfirstquestionreferredtothepoorforlornlittleboy。
　　"To-dayisMondaythetwentieth，"Isaid。"Surelyyouhavenotletawholeweekgobywithouttryingtofindoutsomethingmore?"
　　"Exceptatbed-time，andmeals，ma'am，"answeredTrottle，"Ihavenotletanhourgoby。PleasetounderstandthatIhaveonlycometoanendofwhatIhavewritten，andnottoanendofwhatIhavedone。Iwrotedownthosefirstparticulars，ma'am，becausetheyareofgreatimportance，andalsobecauseIwasdeterminedtocomeforwardwithmywrittendocuments，seeingthatMr。Jarberchosetocomeforward，inthefirstinstance，withhis。Iamnowreadytogoonwiththesecondpartofmystoryasshortlyandplainlyaspossible，bywordofmouth。ThefirstthingImustclearup，ifyouplease，isthematterofMr。Forley'sfamilyaffairs。Ihaveheardyouspeakofthem，ma'am，atvarioustimes；andIhaveunderstoodthatMr。Forleyhadtwochildrenonlybyhisdeceasedwife，bothdaughters。Theeldestdaughtermarried，toherfather'sentiresatisfaction，oneMr。Bayne，arichman，holdingahighgovernmentsituationinCanada。Sheisnowlivingtherewithherhusband，andheronlychild，alittlegirlofeightornineyearsold。Rightsofar，Ithink，ma'am?"
　　"Quiteright，"Isaid。
　　"Theseconddaughter，"Trottlewenton，"andMr。Forley'sfavourite，setherfather'swishesandtheopinionsoftheworldatflatdefiance，byrunningawaywithamanofloworigin——amateofamerchant-vessel，namedKirkland。Mr。Forleynotonlyneverforgavethatmarriage，butvowedthathewouldvisitthescandalofitheavilyinthefutureonhusbandandwife。Bothescapedhisvengeance，whateverhemeantittobe。Thehusbandwasdrownedonhisfirstvoyageafterhismarriage，andthewifediedinchild-bed。
　　Rightagain，Ibelieve，ma'am?"
　　"Againquiteright。"
　　"Havinggotthefamilymatterallright，wewillnowgoback，ma'am，tomeandmydoings。LastMonday，Iaskedyouforleaveofabsencefortwodays；IemployedthetimeinclearingupthematterofBenjamin'sface。LastSaturdayIwasoutofthewaywhenyouwantedme。Iplayedtruant，ma'am，onthatoccasion，incompanywithafriendofmine，whoismanagingclerkinalawyer'soffice；andwebothspentthemorningatDoctors'Commons，overthelastwillandtestamentofMr。Forley'sfather。Leavingthewill-businessforamoment，pleasetofollowmefirst，ifyouhavenoobjection，intotheuglysubjectofBenjamin'sface。AboutsixorsevenyearsagothankstoyourkindnessIhadaweek'sholidaywithsomefriendsofminewholiveinthetownofPendlebury。Oneofthosefriendstheonlyonenowleftintheplacekeptachemist'sshop，andinthatshopIwasmadeacquaintedwithoneofthetwodoctorsinthetown，namedBarsham。ThisBarshamwasafirst-ratesurgeon，andmighthavegottothetopofhisprofession，ifhehadnotbeenafirst-rateblackguard。Asitwas，hebothdrankandgambled；nobodywouldhaveanythingtodowithhiminPendlebury；and，atthetimewhenIwasmadeknowntohiminthechemist'sshop，theotherdoctor，Mr。Dix，whowasnottobecomparedwithhimforsurgicalskill，butwhowasarespectableman，hadgotallthepractice；andBarshamandhisoldmotherwerelivingtogetherinsuchaconditionofutterpoverty，thatitwasamarveltoeverybodyhowtheykeptoutoftheparishworkhouse。"
　　"BenjaminandBenjamin'smother!"
　　"Exactly，ma'am。LastThursdaymorningthankstoyourkindness，againIwenttoPendleburytomyfriendthechemist，toaskafewquestionsaboutBarshamandhismother。Iwastoldthattheyhadbothleftthetownaboutfiveyearssince。WhenIinquiredintothecircumstances，somestrangeparticularscameoutinthecourseofthechemist'sanswer。YouknowIhavenodoubt，ma'am，thatpoorMrs。Kirklandwasconfinedwhileherhusbandwasatsea，inlodgingsatavillagecalledFlatfield，andthatshediedandwasburiedthere。Butwhatyoumaynotknowis，thatFlatfieldisonlythreemilesfromPendlebury；thatthedoctorwhoattendedonMrs。KirklandwasBarsham；thatthenursewhotookcareofherwasBarsham'smother；andthatthepersonwhocalledthembothin，wasMr。Forley。
　　Whetherhisdaughterwrotetohim，orwhetherheheardofitinsomeotherway，Idon'tknow；buthewaswithherthoughhehadswornnevertoseeheragainwhenshemarriedamonthormorebeforeherconfinement，andwasbackwardsandforwardsagooddealbetweenFlatfieldandPendlebury。HowhemanagedmatterswiththeBarshamscannotatpresentbediscovered；butitisafactthathecontrivedtokeepthedrunkendoctorsober，toeverybody'samazement。ItisafactthatBarshamwenttothepoorwomanwithallhiswitsabouthim。ItisafactthatheandhismothercamebackfromFlatfieldafterMrs。Kirkland'sdeath，packedupwhatfewthingstheyhad，andleftthetownmysteriouslybynight。And，lastly，itisalsoafactthattheotherdoctor，Mr。Dix，wasnotcalledintohelp，tillaweekafterthebirthANDBURIALofthechild，whenthemotherwassinkingfromexhaustion——exhaustiontogivethevagabond，Barsham，hisduenotproduced，inMr。Dix'sopinion，byimpropermedicaltreatment，butbythebodilyweaknessofthepoorwomanherself——"
　　"Burialofthechild?"Iinterrupted，tremblingallover。"Trottle!
　　youspokethatword'burial'inaverystrangeway——youarefixingyoureyesonmenowwithaverystrangelook——"
　　Trottleleanedoverclosetome，andpointedthroughthewindowtotheemptyhouse。
　　"Thechild'sdeathisregistered，atPendlebury，"hesaid，"onBarsham'scertificate，undertheheadofMaleInfant，Still-Born。
　　Thechild'scoffinliesinthemother'sgrave，inFlatfieldchurchyard。Thechildhimself——assurelyasIliveandbreathe，islivingandbreathingnow——acastawayandaprisonerinthatvillainoushouse!"
　　Isankbackinmychair。
　　"It'sguess-work，sofar，butitisborneinonmymind，forallthat，astruth。Rouseyourself，ma'am，andthinkalittle。ThelastIhearofBarsham，heisattendingMr。Forley'sdisobedientdaughter。ThenextIseeofBarsham，heisinMr。Forley'shouse，trustedwithasecret。HeandhismotherleavePendleburysuddenlyandsuspiciouslyfiveyearsback；andheandhismotherhavegotachildoffiveyearsold，hiddenawayinthehouse。Wait!pleasetowait——Ihavenotdoneyet。ThewillleftbyMr。Forley'sfather，strengthensthesuspicion。ThefriendItookwithmetoDoctors'
　　Commons，madehimselfmasterofthecontentsofthatwill；andwhenhehaddoneso，Iputthesetwoquestionstohim。'CanMr。Forleyleavehismoneyathisowndiscretiontoanybodyhepleases?''No，'
　　myfriendsays，'hisfatherhaslefthimwithonlyalifeinterestinit。''SupposeoneofMr。Forley'smarrieddaughtershasagirl，andtheotheraboy，howwouldthemoneygo?''Itwouldallgo，'myfriendsays，'totheboy，anditwouldbechargedwiththepaymentofacertainannualincometohisfemalecousin。Afterherdeath，itwouldgobacktothemaledescendant，andtohisheirs。'
　　Considerthat，ma'am!ThechildofthedaughterwhomMr。Forleyhates，whosehusbandhasbeensnatchedawayfromhisvengeancebydeath，takeshiswholepropertyindefianceofhim；andthechildofthedaughterwhomheloves，isleftapensioneronherlow-bornboy-
　　cousinforlife!Therewasgood——toogoodreason——whythatchildofMrs。Kirkland'sshouldberegisteredstillborn。Andif，asI
　　believe，theregisterisfoundedonafalsecertificate，thereisbetter，stillbetterreason，whytheexistenceofthechildshouldbehidden，andalltraceofhisparentageblottedout，inthegarretofthatemptyhouse。"
　　Hestopped，andpointedforthesecondtimetothedim，dust-coveredgarret-windowsopposite。Ashedidso，Iwasstartled——averyslightmattersufficedtofrightenmenow——byaknockatthedooroftheroominwhichweweresitting。
　　Mymaidcamein，withaletterinherhand。Itookitfromher。
　　Themourningcard，whichwasalltheenvelopeenclosed，droppedfrommyhands。
　　GeorgeForleywasnomore。Hehaddepartedthislifethreedayssince，ontheeveningofFriday。
　　"Didourlastchanceofdiscoveringthetruth，"Iasked，"restwithHIM?HasitdiedwithHISdeath?"
　　"Courage，ma'am!Ithinknot。OurchancerestsonourpowertomakeBarshamandhismotherconfess；andMr。Forley'sdeath，byleavingthemhelpless，seemstoputthatpowerintoourhands。Withyourpermission，Iwillnotwaittillduskto-day，asIatfirstintended，butwillmakesureofthosetwopeopleatonce。Withapolicemaninplainclothestowatchthehouse，incasetheytrytoleaveit；withthiscardtovouchforthefactofMr。Forley'sdeath；andwithaboldacknowledgmentonmypartofhavinggotpossessionoftheirsecret，andofbeingreadytouseitagainstthemincaseofneed，IthinkthereislittledoubtofbringingBarshamandhismothertoterms。IncaseIfinditimpossibletogetbackherebeforedusk，pleasetositnearthewindow，ma'am，andwatchthehouse，alittlebeforetheylightthestreet-lamps。Ifyouseethefront-dooropenandcloseagain，willyoubegoodenoughtoputonyourbonnet，andcomeacrosstomeimmediately?Mr。
　　Forley'sdeathmay，ormaynot，preventhismessengerfromcomingasarranged。But，ifthepersondoescome，itisofimportancethatyou，asarelativeofMr。Forley'sshouldbepresenttoseehim，andtohavethatproperinfluenceoverhimwhichIcannotpretendtoexercise。"
　　TheonlywordsIcouldsaytoTrottleasheopenedthedoorandleftme，werewordscharginghimtotakecarethatnoharmhappenedtothepoorforlornlittleboy。
　　Leftalone，Idrewmychairtothewindow；andlookedoutwithabeatingheartattheguiltyhouse。Iwaitedandwaitedthroughwhatappearedtometobeanendlesstime，untilIheardthewheelsofacabstopattheendofthestreet。Ilookedinthatdirection，andsawTrottlegetoutofthecabalone，walkuptothehouse，andknockatthedoor。HewasletinbyBarsham'smother。Aminuteortwolater，adecently-dressedmansaunteredpastthehouse，lookedupatitforamoment，andsaunteredontothecornerofthestreetcloseby。Hereheleantagainstthepost，andlightedacigar，andstoppedtheresmokinginanidleway，butkeepinghisfacealwaysturnedinthedirectionofthehouse-door。
　　Iwaitedandwaitedstill。Iwaitedandwaited，withmyeyesrivetedtothedoorofthehouse。AtlastIthoughtIsawitopeninthedusk，andthenfeltsureIhearditshutagainsoftly。
　　ThoughItriedhardtocomposemyself，ItrembledsothatIwasobligedtocallforPeggytohelpmeonwithmybonnetandcloak，andwasforcedtotakeherarmtoleanon，incrossingthestreet。
　　Trottleopenedthedoortous，beforewecouldknock。Peggywentback，andIwentin。Hehadalightedcandleinhishand。
　　"Ithashappened，ma'am，asIthoughtitwould，"hewhispered，leadingmeintothebare，comfortless，emptyparlour。"Barshamandhismotherhaveconsultedtheirowninterests，andhavecometoterms。Myguess-workisguess-worknolonger。ItisnowwhatI
　　feltitwas——Truth!"
　　Somethingstrangetome——somethingwhichwomenwhoaremothersmustoftenknow——trembledsuddenlyinmyheart，andbroughtthewarmtearsofmyyouthfuldaysthrongingbackintomyeyes。Itookmyfaithfuloldservantbythehand，andaskedhimtoletmeseeMrs。
　　Kirkland'schild，forhismother'ssake。
　　"Ifyoudesireit，ma'am，"saidTrottle，withagentlenessofmannerthatIhadnevernoticedinhimbefore。"Butpraydon'tthinkmewantingindutyandrightfeeling，ifIbegyoutotryandwaitalittle。Youareagitatedalready，andafirstmeetingwiththechildwillnothelptomakeyousocalm，asyouwouldwishtobe，ifMr。Forley'smessengercomes。Thelittleboyissafeup-stairs。
　　Praythinkfirstoftryingtocomposeyourselfforameetingwithastranger；andbelievemeyoushallnotleavethehouseafterwardswithoutthechild。"
　　IfeltthatTrottlewasright，andsatdownaspatientlyasIcouldinachairhehadthoughtfullyplacedreadyforme。Iwassohorrifiedatthediscoveryofmyownrelation'swickednessthatwhenTrottleproposedtomakemeacquaintedwiththeconfessionwrungfromBarshamandhismother，Ibeggedhimtosparemealldetails，andonlytotellmewhatwasnecessaryaboutGeorgeForley。
　　"AllthatcanbesaidforMr。Forley，ma'am，is，thathewasjustscrupulousenoughtohidethechild'sexistenceandblotoutitsparentagehere，insteadofconsenting，atthefirst，toitsdeath，orafterwards，whentheboygrewup，toturninghimadrift，absolutelyhelplessintheworld。Thefraudhasbeenmanaged，ma'am，withthecunningofSatanhimself。Mr。ForleyhadtheholdovertheBarshams，thattheyhadhelpedhiminhisvillany，andthattheyweredependentonhimforthebreadtheyeat。HebroughtthemuptoLondontokeepthemsecurelyunderhisowneye。Heputthemintothisemptyhousetakingitoutoftheagent'shandspreviously，onpretencethathemeanttomanagethelettingofithimself；andbykeepingthehouseempty，madeitthesurestofallhidingplacesforthechild。Here，Mr。Forleycouldcome，wheneverhepleased，toseethatthepoorlonelychildwasnotabsolutelystarved；surethathisvisitswouldonlyappearlikelookingafterhisownproperty。HerethechildwastohavebeentrainedtobelievehimselfBarsham'schild，tillheshouldbeoldenoughtobeprovidedforinsomesituation，aslowandaspoorasMr。Forley'suneasyconsciencewouldlethimpickout。Hemayhavethoughtofatonementonhisdeath-bed；butnotbefore——Iamonlytoocertainofit——notbefore!"
　　Alow，doubleknockstartledus。
　　"Themessenger!"saidTrottle，underhisbreath。Hewentoutinstantlytoanswertheknock；andreturned，leadinginarespectable-lookingelderlyman，dressedlikeTrottle，allinblack，withawhitecravat，butotherwisenotatallresemblinghim。
　　"IamafraidIhavemadesomemistake，"saidthestranger。
　　Trottle，consideratelytakingtheofficeofexplanationintohisownhands，assuredthegentlemanthattherewasnomistake；mentionedtohimwhoIwas；andaskedhimifhehadnotcomeonbusinessconnectedwiththelateMr。Forley。Lookinggreatlyastonished，thegentlemananswered，"Yes。"Therewasanawkwardmomentofsilence，afterthat。Thestrangerseemedtobenotonlystartledandamazed，butratherdistrustfulandfearfulofcommittinghimselfaswell。
　　Noticingthis，IthoughtitbesttorequestTrottletoputanendtofurtherembarrassment，bystatingallparticularstruthfully，ashehadstatedthemtome；andIbeggedthegentlemantolistenpatientlyforthelateMr。Forley'ssake。Hebowedtomeveryrespectfully，andsaidhewaspreparedtolistenwiththegreatestinterest。
　　Itwasevidenttome——and，Icouldsee，toTrottlealso——thatwewerenotdealing，tosaytheleast，withadishonestman。
　　"BeforeIofferanyopiniononwhatIhaveheard，"hesaid，earnestlyandanxiously，afterTrottlehaddone，"Imustbeallowed，injusticetomyself，toexplainmyownapparentconnectionwiththisverystrangeandveryshockingbusiness。IwastheconfidentiallegaladviserofthelateMr。Forley，andIamlefthisexecutor。Rathermorethanafortnightback，whenMr。Forleywasconfinedtohisroombyillness，hesentforme，andchargedmetocallandpayacertainsumofmoneyhere，toamanandwomanwhomI
　　shouldfindtakingchargeofthehouse。Hesaidhehadreasonsforwishingtheaffairtobekeptasecret。HebeggedmesotoarrangemyengagementsthatIcouldcallatthisplaceeitheronMondaylast，orto-day，atdusk；andhementionedthathewouldwritetowarnthepeopleofmycoming，withoutmentioningmynameDalcottismyname，ashedidnotwishtoexposemetoanyfutureimportunitiesonthepartofthemanandwoman。Ineedhardlytellyouthatthiscommissionstruckmeasbeingastrangeone；but，inmypositionwithMr。Forley，Ihadnoresourcebuttoacceptitwithoutaskingquestions，ortobreakoffmylongandfriendlyconnectionwithmyclient。Ichosethefirstalternative。BusinesspreventedmefromdoingmyerrandonMondaylast——andifIamhereto-day，notwithstandingMr。Forley'sunexpecteddeath，itisemphaticallybecauseIunderstoodnothingofthematter，onknockingatthisdoor；andthereforefeltmyselfbound，asexecutor，toclearitup。That，onmywordofhonour，isthewholetruth，sofarasI
　　ampersonallyconcerned。"
　　"Ifeelquitesureofit，sir，"Ianswered。
　　"YoumentionedMr。Forley'sdeath，justnow，asunexpected。MayI
　　inquireifyouwerepresent，andifhehasleftanylastinstructions?"
　　"ThreehoursbeforeMr。Forley'sdeath，"saidMr。Dalcott，"hismedicalattendantlefthimapparentlyinafairwayofrecovery。
　　Thechangefortheworsetookplacesosuddenly，andwasaccompaniedbysuchseveresuffering，topreventhimfromcommunicatinghislastwishestoanyone。WhenIreachedhishouse，hewasinsensible。I
　　havesinceexaminedhispapers。Notoneofthemreferstothepresenttimeortotheseriousmatterwhichnowoccupiesus。IntheabsenceofinstructionsImustactcautiouslyonwhatyouhavetoldme；butIwillberigidlyfairandjustatthesametime。Thefirstthingtobedone，"hecontinued，addressinghimselftoTrottle，"istohearwhatthemanandwoman，down-stairs，havetosay。Ifyoucansupplymewithwriting-materials，Iwilltaketheirdeclarationsseparatelyonthespot，inyourpresence，andinthepresenceofthepolicemanwhoiswatchingthehouse。To-morrowIwillsendcopiesofthosedeclarations，accompaniedbyafullstatementofthecase，toMr。andMrs。BayneinCanadabothofwhomknowmewellasthelateMr。Forley'slegaladviser；andIwillsuspendallproceedings，onmypart，untilIhearfromthem，orfromtheirsolicitorinLondon。InthepresentpostureofaffairsthisisallIcansafelydo。"
　　Wecoulddonolessthanagreewithhim，andthankhimforhisfrankandhonestmannerofmeetingus。ItwasarrangedthatIshouldsendoverthewriting-materialsfrommylodgings；and，tomyunutterablejoyandrelief，itwasalsoreadilyacknowledgedthatthepoorlittleorphanboycouldfindnofitterrefugethanmyoldarmswerelongingtoofferhim，andnosaferprotectionforthenightthanmyroofcouldgive。Trottlehastenedawayup-stairs，asactivelyasifhehadbeenayoungman，tofetchthechilddown。
　　Andhebroughthimdowntomewithoutanothermomentofdelay，andI
　　wentonmykneesbeforethepoorlittleMite，andembracedhim，andaskedhimifhewouldgowithmetowhereIlived?Heheldmeawayforamoment，andhiswan，shrewdlittleeyeslookedsharpatme。
　　Thenheclungclosetomeallatonce，andsaid:
　　"I'ma-goingalongwithyou，Iam——andsoItellyou!"
　　Forinspiringthepoorneglectedchildwiththistrustinmyoldself，IthankedHeaven，then，withallmyheartandsoul，andI
　　thankitnow!
　　Ibundledthepoordarlingupinmyowncloak，andIcarriedhiminmyownarmsacrosstheroad。Peggywaslostinspeechlessamazementtobeholdmetrudgingoutofbreathup-stairs，withastrangepairofpoorlittlelegsundermyarm；but，shebegantocryoverthechildthemomentshesawhim，likeasensiblewomanasshealwayswas，andshestillcriedhereyesoutoverhiminacomfortablemanner，whenheatlastlayfastasleep，tuckedupbymyhandsinTrottle'sbed。
　　"AndTrottle，blessyou，mydearman，"saidI，kissinghishand，ashelookedon:"theforlornbabycametothisrefugethroughyou，andhewillhelpyouonyourwaytoHeaven。"
　　TrottleansweredthatIwashisdearmistress，andimmediatelywentandputhisheadoutatanopenwindowonthelanding，andlookedintothebackstreetforaquarterofanhour。
　　Thatverynight，asIsatthinkingofthepoorchild，andofanotherpoorchildwhoisnevertobethoughtaboutenoughatChristmas-
　　time，theideacameintomymindwhichIhavelivedtoexecute，andintherealisationofwhichIamthehappiestofwomenthisday。
　　"TheexecutorwillsellthatHouse，Trottle?"saidI。
　　"Notadoubtofit，ma'am，ifhecanfindapurchaser。"
　　"I'llbuyit。"
　　IhaveoftenseenTrottlepleased；but，IneversawhimsoperfectlyenchantedashewaswhenIconfidedtohim，whichIdid，thenandthere，thepurposethatIhadinview。
　　Tomakeshortofalongstory——andwhatstorywouldnotbelong，comingfromthelipsofanoldwomanlikeme，unlessitwasmadeshortbymainforce!——IboughttheHouse。Mrs。Baynehadherfather'sbloodinher；sheevadedtheopportunityofforgivingandgenerousreparationthatwasofferedher，anddisownedthechild；
　　but，Iwaspreparedforthat，andlovedhimallthemoreforhavingnooneintheworldtolookto，butme。
　　Iamgettingintoaflurrybybeingover-pleased，andIdaresayI
　　amasincoherentasneedbe。IboughttheHouse，andIaltereditfromthebasementtotheroof，andIturneditintoaHospitalforSickChildren。
　　Nevermindbywhatdegreesmylittleadoptedboycametotheknowledgeofallthesightsandsoundsinthestreets，sofamiliartootherchildrenandsostrangetohim；nevermindbywhatdegreeshecametobepretty，andchildish，andwinning，andcompanionable，andtohavepicturesandtoysabouthim，andsuitableplaymates。AsIwrite，IlookacrosstheroadtomyHospital，andthereisthedarlingwhohasgoneovertoplaynoddingatmeoutofoneoftheoncelonelywindows，withhisdearchubbyfacebackedupbyTrottle'swaistcoatasheliftsmypetfor"Grandma"tosee。
　　ManyanEyeIseeinthatHousenow，butitisneverinsolitude，neverinneglect。ManyanEyeIseeinthatHousenow，thatismoreandmoreradianteverydaywiththelightofreturninghealth。Asmypreciousdarlinghaschangedbeyonddescriptionforthebrighterandthebetter，sodothenotlesspreciousdarlingsofpoorwomenchangeinthatHouseeverydayintheyear。ForwhichIhumblythankthatGraciousBeingwhomtherestoreroftheWidow'ssonandoftheRuler'sdaughter，instructedallmankindtocalltheirFather。