Suppose, after all, _The Joy-bell_ which contained the first portion of her story had not had a large success; suppose, after all, the public were not so delighted with her flowing words.

Perhaps the editor would receive her very coldly, and would tell her what a loss her story had been, and how indisposed he felt to go on with it.

If this was the case she never, never would have courage to ask him to give her Poppy's wages.

If the editor scolded her she felt that she would be incapable of saying a word in her own defence.

Nay, she thought it extremely probable that then and there she would burst into tears.