Sunshine again on Mrs. Gray's face. "Tell me your news, Jim," she said eagerly. 

 "Tell me yours first," said the sly Jim. 

 "No, Jim; do tell me yours." 

 "Well," said Gray, "I've had a glorious piece of luck. It hasn't come just at once; but I've been saving it up till I was sure that there was no mistake. There's a new club starting, dear, and I've got the secretaryship—worth about sixty pounds a year. Think of that—another pound a week income! Isn't it grand?" 

 "Splendid, Jim!" breathed Mrs. Gray. 

 "Of course," said Gray, hurriedly, "there'll be a lot of work, and I shall often have to stay there late in the evening. But I don't mind that, so long as—so long as you have a little more money for yourself." 

 "Thank you, Jim dear; but I do hope you won't overwork yourself. But, I say, Jim, wait till I tell you my news; perhaps you won't need to work so hard, then. I've let the front room at last, Jim, and splendid terms—a pound a week, breakfast and meat tea, full board Sundays. Isn't that good?" 

 "Bravo!" cried Gray. "Why, I'm dashed if you haven't done as well as I have!" 

 "It's all settled," cried Mrs. Gray. "I only let it this morning, and the boxes came in this afternoon. Look!" She displayed two half-crowns in a plump little hand. "Deposit." 

 "You're a champion," said her husband. "We shall be so rich we sha'n't know what to do with the money. When does the old lady come in? Is she a widow?" 

 "Don't be stupid, Jim!" 

 Jim smiled. "Well, you know, dear, I thought——" 

 Mrs. Gray suddenly placed a hand over his mouth. 

 "That'll do, you wicked deceiver. Do you think you can play such games with me? As if I didn't know that you'd had a hand in it. You don't want me to thank you, you bad old Jimmy, but I shall." 

 "But, my dear——" 

 "Now, do be quiet," said Mrs. Gray. "I know all about it, so there! You were thinking how much I wanted a little extra money, and what a silly I was not to be able to let the room myself, and that's why you did it, now isn't it?" 

 Gray 

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