In vain she sought an explanation; Pennyloaf professed to know nothing of her husband's motives, but implored her friend to keep away for a time, as any disregard of Bob's injunction would only result in worse troubles than she yet had to endure.

Jane sought the aid of Kirkwood, begging him to interfere with young Hewett; the attempt was made, but proved fruitless.

'_Sic volo, sic jubeo_,' was Bob's standpoint, and he as good as bade Sidney mind his own affairs.
Jane suffered, and more than she herself would have anticipated.

She had conceived a liking, almost an affection, for poor, shiftless Pennyloaf, strengthened, of course, by the devotion with which the latter repaid her.

But something more than this injury to her feelings was involved in her distress on being excluded from those sorry lodgings.