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 this—this cool and unswerving deliberation, at twenty you will be a callous and hardened criminal of the most abandoned type."

"It was for the Lump," said Pollyooly somewhat faintly, for she was shaken by the terrible picture he had painted.

"Not a word!" cried Mr. Gedge-Tomkins in a terrible voice. "I have done with you! I discharge you. Here is seven shillings—two shillings for your work from Saturday to to-day, and five shillings in lieu of a week's notice." And he banged down seven shillings on the table.

Pollyooly gave a little gasp of surprise and relief. Her spirit lightened. She had expected to be sent about her business with no money at all. She caught up the seven shillings quickly, said, "Good morning, sir," and hurried out of the room with it lest he should change his mind about paying it.

As she came down the passage, Mrs. Meeken said, "That'll learn you to go taking a honest woman's bread out of 'er mouf, you little 'uzzy. An' Mr. Ruffin is that wild, I'm afraid to go near him."

Pollyooly gazed at her perhaps ten seconds with eyes that blazed; then she made the hideous face of