He continued to look at Nat, breathed deeply, then said: "Mrs. Appleton has been ill for some time. A combination of an excitable disposition and the pregnancy and birth, is what the doctor says. She will hardly leave her room, and seems to take pleasure in defiance and opposition. Yet for some reason she seems to have taken a liking to you. I'm willing to give in to her wish, if it might improve her condition. I won't be able to pay you much, but you won't have to do much work. You'll have a place to stay and food to eat and we'll get you something more suitable to wear, and you'll have half a bob allowance per week. If you help Jenny here and there and prove that you are reliable, I will write you a reference so you can find a job as a maid on from here."