ars ago, which took the
starch out of her once for all. A love affair, I expect. Perhaps she's
told you... I'm not fishing, and it's not my business, but I'm sorry
for the poor thing, and I was sorry for you when I heard you were going
to share her room. She can't be the most cheerful companion in the
world!"

"Oh, she's quite lively at times," Claire said loyally, "and very
appreciative. I'm fond of her, you know, but I wish she didn't grumble
quite so much." She looked round the parlour, which was at once bigger
and better furnished than the joint apartment in Laburnum Crescent, and
seized upon an opportunity of changing the subject. "You have a very
nice room."

Sophie Blake looked round with an air half proud, half guilty.

"Y-es. Too nice. I've no business to spend so much, but I simply can't
stand those dreadful cheap houses. People are always fussing and
telling one to save up for old age. I think it matters far more to have
things nice in one's youth. I get a hundred and thirty a year, and have
to keep myself all the year round and help to educate a young sister.
We are orphans, and the grown-ups have to keep her between us. I
couldn't save if I wanted to, so what's the use of worrying? I don't
care very much what happens after fifty-five. Perhaps I shall be
married. Perhaps I shall be dead. Perhaps some nice kind millionaire
will have taken a fancy to me, and left me a fortune. If the worst
comes to the worst, I'll go into a home for decayed gentlewomen and knit
stockings--no, not stockings, I should never be able to turn the heels--
long armlet things, like mittens, without the thumbs. Look here. Where
shall we go? Isn't it a shame that all the nice shops close early on
Saturday? We might have had such sport walking along Knightsbridge,
choosing what we'd like best from every window. Have you ever done
that? It's ripping fun. What about Museums? Do you like Museums?
Rather cold for the feet, don't you think? What can we do that's warm
and interesting, and exciting, and doesn't cost more than
eighteenpence?"

Claire laughed gleefully, not at the thought of the eighteenpenny
restriction, but from pure joy at finding a companion who could face
life with a smile, and find enjoyment from such simple means as
imaginary purchases from shop windows. Oh, the blessed effect of a
cheerful spirit! How inspiriting it was after the constant douche of
discouragement from which she had suffer