The blue feathers at the side of her hat were none of them more than six inches long, and the buttons on her jacket were so inconspicuous that one would hardly notice them.
In short, while her dress was no doubt good and serviceable, there was an absence of _chic_, a lack of noise about it, that told at once the tale of narrow circumstances.
"She was evidently in great distress.
"'Oh, Mr.Thornton,' she exclaimed, advancing towards me, 'do come to our house at once.

I simply don't know what to do.' "She spoke with great emotion, and seemed almost on the point of breaking into tears.
"'Pray, calm yourself, my dear young lady,' I said, 'and try to tell me what is the trouble.' "'Oh, don't lose any time,' she said, 'do, do come at once.' "'We will lose no time' I said reassuringly, as I looked at my watch.
'It is now seven-thirty.

We will reckon the time from now, with overtime at time and a half.

But if I am to do anything for you I must have some idea of what has happened.' "'The cellar boiler,' she moaned, clasping her hands together, 'the cellar boiler won't work!' "'Ah!' I said soothingly.

'The cellar boiler won't work.