224 The Light That Failed only beer-handles to pull, unless she has deluded some young man into keeping company with her. Fancy being cheated for the sake of a counter-jumper! We're falling pretty low.” Something cried aloud within him: — This will hurt more than anything that has gone before. It will recall and remind and suggest and tantalize, and in the end drive you mad. “T know it, I know it!” Dick cried, clenching his hands despairingly; “but, good heavens! is a poor blind beggar never to get anything out of his life except three meals a day and a greasy waistcoat? I wish she’d come.” Early in the afternoon time she came, because there was no young man in her life just then, and she thought of material advantages which would allow her to be idle for the rest of her days. “T shouldn’t have known you,” she said approvingly. “You look as you used to look — a gentleman that was proud of himself.” “Don’t you think J deserve another kiss, then?” said Dick, flushing a little. “Maybe — but you won’t get it yet. Sit down and let’s see what I can do for you. I’m certain sure Mr. Beeton cheats you, now that you can’t go through the housekeeping books every month. Isn’t that true?” “You'd better come and housekeep for me then, Bessie.” “Couldn’t do it in these chambers — you know that as well as I do.” “I know, but we might go somewhere else, if you thought it worth your while.” “Td try to look after you, anyhow; but I shouldn’t care to have to work for both of us.” This was tentative. Dick laughed. “Do you remember where I used to keep my bankbook?” said he. “Jorp took it to be balanced just before