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In the house there was a spare room; why should not Miss Shepperson come and live here live, that is to say, as a member of the family? Nothing simpler than to arrange the details of such a plan, which, of course, must be 'strictly businesslike, though carried out in a spirit of mutual goodwill.
Miss Shepperson felt such astonishment that she could only reply with incoherencies. An idea so novel and so strange threw her thoughts into disorder. She was alarmed by the invitation to live with people who were socially her superiors. On the other hand, the proposal made appeal to her natural inclination for domestic life; it offered the possibility of occupation, of usefulness.
'How kind you are! faltered their friend, unable to decide in herself whether she should accept this generosity or not sorely tempted by the money, yet longing to show no less generous a spirit on her own side. 'I really don't know Mr. Rymer imposed silence with a wave of the hand, and began talking in a slow, grave way. 'Miss Shepperson, to-day I may account myself a happy man.
But the mistress of the house, it was evident, would for a long time be unable to do anything whatever; the real maid-of-all-work was Miss Shepperson, who rose every morning at six o'clock, and toiled in one way or another till weary bedtime. If she left the house, it was to do needful shopping or to take the children for a walk.
She has great nervous energy, but isn't really very strong. You can't think what a relief it will be to me all day to know that some one is with her. On Sunday morning all went to church together; for, to Mrs. Rymer's great satisfaction, Miss Shepperson was a member of the orthodox community, and particular about observances.
As a matter of fact, she had received no wages for several months; the kindness with which she was otherwise treated had kept her at her post thus long, but she feared the increase of work impending, and preferred to go off unpaid. Now for the first time did Mrs. Rymer's nerves give way. Miss Shepperson found her sobbing by the fireside, the two children lamenting at such an unwonted spectacle.
Then, suddenly turning again to Miss Shepperson, he grasped her hand, called her his dear friend and benefactress, and with breaking voice whispered to her 'I will help you. I can do the hard work. It's only for a day or two.
Rymer, with many apologies, left the home together for a couple of hours, being absolutely obliged to pay a call at some distance, and Miss Shepperson again took care of the children till the domestic returned. After breakfast the next day it was a very plain meal, merely a rasher and dry toast the lady of the house chatted with her friend more confidentially than ever.
I owe nothing; our honour is saved! Miss Shepperson was aghast. 'But, Mrs. Rymer, she began, 'this is dreadful! What are you going to do? 'Everything is arranged, dear friend, Mrs. Rymer replied. 'My husband has a little post in Birmingham, which will bring him in just enough to support us in the most modest lodgings.
'I did not know, Miss Shepperson, that I owed so much. I had forgotten items. And suppose, after all, the total had exceeded my resources! That indeed would have been a blow. As it is, I am a happy man; my wife is happy. We pay our debts to the last farthing, and we begin the world again with three pounds to the good. Our furniture must go; I cannot redeem it; no matter.
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