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Athelnys lived from hand to mouth, and with their large
family had neither space nor money to entertain a stranger.
‘Of course you must come here,’ said Athelny. ‘Thorpe
will tuck in with one of his brothers and you can sleep in
his bed. You don’t suppose your food’s going to make any
difference to us.’
Philip was afraid to speak, and Athelny, going to the
door, called his wife.
‘Betty,’ he said, when she came in, ‘Mr. Carey’s coming
to live with us.’
‘Oh, that is nice,’ she said. ‘I’ll go and get the bed ready.’
She spoke in such a hearty, friendly tone, taking every-
thing for granted, that Philip was deeply touched. He never
expected people to be kind to him, and when they were it
surprised and moved him. Now he could not prevent two
large tears from rolling down his cheeks. The Athelnys
discussed the arrangements and pretended not to notice
to what a state his weakness had brought him. When Mrs.
Athelny left them Philip leaned back in his chair, and look-
ing out of the window laughed a little.
‘It’s not a very nice night to be out, is it?’