She was always urging the claims of the poor, hence
she was classed with them. They carefully shielded
from her the knowledge of this nickname, and sup-
posed she knew nothing of it.
However, she did know. Some whisper of the
" b^gar-girl " had reached her ears, and was a
matter of chagrin to her.
The chairman of the board of water-works knew

all about her. He knew that if the clerks had seen

217



2l8 THE STORY OF THE GRAVELYS

her passing along the glass corridor outside his
office she was probably coming to him; she probably
wanted something.
One cleric was his nephew, the other his second
cousin, so he was on terms of familiarity with them,
and at the present moment was in the outer office
discussing with them the chances that a certain bill
had of passing the city council.
The door of his own inner office stood open, but
of what use to take refuge there? If the beggar-
girl really wished to see a man on business, she
always waited for him. •

He looked despairingly about him. A high, old-
fashioned desk stood near. Under it was a foot-
stool. As a knock came at the door, he ungracefully
folded his long, lank limbs, quickly sat down on
the foot-stool, and said, in a low voice, " Fve gone
to Portland for a week ! " Then he fearfully awaited
results.
Berty, followed by her friend, the mongrel pup,
walked into the room and asked if Mr. Morehall
were in.
