88 More Tales of the Birds 



be pressing so. I tell you, Susan, I don't know 

 how to pay it." 



" Well, don't pay it," she said ; "it's not worth 

 paying for. Take a house in Foregate Street, 

 where people can see you, if you want to get on ; 

 I've told you so again and again. You'll never 

 get new customers in this slum." 



" I like to pay my debts," he answered slowly, 

 " and the workshop here is good. But there's 

 one advantage in Foregate Street, Susan : it's 

 nearer the workhouse ! " 



" Don't talk nonsense before the children, 

 Stephen. What's the other letter ? " 



" I don't know the hand," he said, fingering it 

 as he drank his tea. " I daresay it's an offer to 

 make me chief stuffer to the British Museum, or 

 Hallo!" 



All eyes were fixed upon him ; his teacup de- 

 scended with a rattle into the saucer. The 

 mother got up and came to look over his 

 shoulder. And this was the letter : 



LONDON, April 15, 1901. 



SIR, I learn from my friend Mr. Scotton of 

 Eaton Place that you supplied him a year ago 



