"Yes; I could not charge you less than a shilling a week rent owing to the economic law of supply and demand. Intrinsically it can not be worth sixpence. Yet who am I to fly in the face of Political Economy? But as I have for some time intended to raise your salary, as a mark of my appreciation of your skill in grilling bacon, to six shillings a week you will be able to pay a shilling a week, and still save three shillings. So that puts the matter on a purely business footing. There is no obligation on either side."
"Oh, sir," said Pollyooly breathlessly.
"You had better have your furniture brought in as soon as possible; and as is the custom of intelligent London landlords, I will pay the cost of its removal."
"Oh, thank you, sir," said Pollyooly; and her eyes shone on him with a devouring gratitude.
"Not a word, not a word," said the Honorable John Ruffin, with a graceful wave of his hand. "Business is business. I have no doubt that with this good address you will soon get another post as laundress, and double your income."
For a while Pollyooly did not know whether she
