Page:The Rejuvenation Of Miss Semaphore.pdf/130

 "Of course not, of course not," said Prudence hastily. "I see now it was too little, but how am I to manage about the matter, as I have not got fifty pounds here?"

Mrs. Brown looked at her keenly. "I'll trust you, ma'am, she said, "for I'm that soft-'earted, an' I've took to the child. Pay me the twenty down, an' send me thirty in Bank of England notes—none o' yer cheques—within twenty-four hours, and I'll take the little darling away."

"Very well," said Prudence relieved. "I will do as you say; but oh! Mrs. Brown, be sure you take every care of her, let her want for nothing;" and two big tears stood in the good-natured creature's eyes.

"Madam," answered Mrs. Brown, "it's a lucky child as comes to me; and now will you please give me your name and address, and just write a promise to pay on this 'ere bit of paper, and hand me over the twenty pounds and I'll give you a receipt; and give me the byby, for my train is about due, and you've got my name and address, and I expects to be notified whenever you're a coming to see the byby, and I never allows as payments to be more than a week in arrears, or I brings back the child."