was broken by an oath which fell glibly from the lips of a small boy,
showing that it was no stranger to them. Gladys looked inexpressibly
shocked, and hastened into the stair, which was very dirty, and odorous
of many evil smells. The steps seemed endless, but she was glad as she
mounted to find the light growing broader, until at last she reached the
topmost landing, where the big skylight revealed a long row of doors,
each giving entrance to a separate dwelling. The girl looked confusedly
at them for a moment, and then, recalling sundry directions Walter had
given, proceeded to knock at the middle one. It was opened at once by a
young woman wearing a rusty old black frock and a large checked apron, a
little shawl pinned about her head quite tightly, and making her face
look very small and pinched. It was a very pale face,--quite ghastly,
in fact,--the very lips white, and her eyes surrounded by large black
circles, which made Gladys think she must be very ill.

'Well, miss?' she said coolly and curtly, holding the door open only
about three inches.

'Does Mrs. Hepburn live here?' asked Gladys, thinking she had made a
mistake.

'Yes, but she's no' at hame. Come back the morn. Eh, Liz, will yer
mither be oot the morn?'

'Ay; ask her what she wants,' a somewhat husky voice announced from the
interior, followed by a fit of coughing quite distressing to hear.

'Oh, is that Walter's sister, who is ill?' said Gladys eagerly. 'Please,
may I come in? Ask her. Tell her that I have come from Colquhoun Street
to see her. I am Gladys Graham.'