CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
HOW I GAVE A LITTLE SUPPER TO SOME OF MY FRIENDS.
The idea of giving a party of my own to my new friends, in return for their hospitality to me, was not by any means a new one.

It had been simmering in my mind for some weeks past.

Indeed, ever since I began to be invited out, the thought that I could not return the compliment had always been a drawback to my pleasure.
But there had always been two obstacles in the way of carrying out my wish.

The first was lack of funds, the second was Mrs Nash.

On eight shillings a week I had come to the conclusion it was out of the question to dream of giving a party to eight persons.