"Have you got any money?" he demanded.

"I get paid on Saturday--two pounds."

"Two pounds! Good heavens!"--he thrust a hand into his breast pocket, and brought out a bundle of notes. "I'll give you twenty--buy some clothes and make yourself look pretty."

Faith turned from red to white. She drew back when he would have put the money into her hands.

"I can't. Oh, I couldn't," she faltered. "Oh, I should be afraid----"

"Afraid!" He regarded her in amazement, and then, suddenly aware of the tears in her eyes, he added: "Very well--I'll give you ten--is that better? And will that buy a frock?"

She laughed tremulously. "Why, it will buy us all one--me and the twins--and lots of other things besides!"

She gathered up the money with shaking fingers. She was sure that she was dreaming. Even the touch of the crisp banknotes seemed unreal! What would her mother say? What would Peg say? Her head was in a whirl.

"I think I'll drive you back home now," the Beggar Man said, suddenly. "Your mother will be wondering where you are." He spoke to the driver, and the taxi turned about.

The Beggar Man was sitting opposite to Faith now. He kept looking at her in a queer, nervous sort of way. Suddenly he said in his abrupt manner: "Do you mind if--if I kiss you?"

She raised her brown eyes.

"If you kiss--me!" She echoed the words with fluttering incredulity. "Oh, no, of course not--if you really want to."

"Thank you." He leaned across and kissed her cheek awkwardly.

There was a little silence, then he said, angrily: "Of course, some people would call me an absolute blackguard!"

She looked at him in amazement.

"Why, what do you mean?"

He explained disjointedly.

"You're such a child--and I'm nearly twenty years older than you are. You don't realize what you're doing--marrying me. I may make your life miserable." She smiled serenely.

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