that, and ask him to go away.'

Ellen had no very great fancy for facing the enemy herself, but she
made no objection; and looking down-stairs, she saw her brother
Harold waiting while his mother stamped the letters, and she called
to him, and sent him out to the boy.

He came back in a few moments so much amazed, that she could see the
whites all round his eyes.

'He won't have it! He's a rum one that! He says he's no beggar, and
that if the young lady would give him work, he'd thank her; but he
wants none of her money, and he'll stand where he chooses!'

'Why didn't you lick him?' hallooed out Alfred's voice from his bed.
'Oh! if I--'

'Nonsense, Alfred!' cried Miss Jane, frightened into spirit; 'stand
still, Harold! I don't mind him.'

And she put up her parasol, and walked straight out at the house door
as bold as a little lioness, going on without looking to the right or
left.

'IF--' began Harold, clenching his fists--and Alfred raised himself
upon his bed with flashing eyes to watch, as the boy had moved
nearer, and looked for a moment as if he were going to grin, or say
something impudent; but the quiet childish form stepping on so simply
and steadily seemed to disarm him, and he shrunk back, left her to
trip across the road unmolested, and stood leaning over the rail of