ng bloodless gums in which were
stuck irregular decayed teeth; she exhibited the varying processes of
mastication, the while her boiled eyes stared vacantly before her. She
compelled Mavis's attention, with the result that the latter had no
further use for the food on her plate. She even refused rice pudding,
which, although burned, might otherwise have attracted her.

The air of the shop upstairs was agreeably refreshing after the
vitiated atmosphere of the dining-room; it saved her from faintness.
Happily, she was sent down to tea at a quarter to four, to find that
this, by a lucky accident, was stronger and warmer than the tepid stuff
with which she had been served at breakfast. As the hours wore on,
Mavis noticed that most of the girls seemed to put some heart into
their work; she supposed that this elation was caused by the rapidly
approaching hour of liberty. When this at last arrived, there was a
rush to the bedrooms. Mavis, who was now suffering tortures from a
racking headache, went listlessly upstairs; she wondered if she would
be allowed to go straight to bed. When she got into the room, she found
everything in confusion. Miss Potter, Miss Allen, and Miss Impett were
frantically exchanging their working clothes for evening attire. Mavis
was surprised to see the three girls painting their cheeks and eyebrows
in complete indifference to her presence. They took small notice of
her; they were too busy discussing the expensive eating-houses at which
they were to dine and sup. Miss Potter, in struggling into her evening
bodice, tore it behind. Mavis, seeing that Miss Allen was all behind
with her dressing, offered to sew it.

"Thank you," remarked Miss Potter, in the manner of one bestowing a
favour. Mavis mended the rent quickly and skilfully. Perhaps her ready
needle softened the haughty Miss Potter's heart towards her, for the
beauty said:

"Where are you off to to-night?"

"Nowhere," answered Mavis.

"Nowhere!" echoed Miss Potter disdainfully, while the other occupants
of the room ejaculated "My!"

"Haven't you a 'boy'?" asked Miss Potter.

"A what?"

"A young man then," said Miss Potter, as she made a deft line beneath
her left eye with an eye pencil.

"I don't know any young men," remarked Mavis.

"Hadn't you better be quick and pick up one?" asked Miss Impett.

"I don't care to make chance acquaintances," answered Mavis.

To her surprise, her remark aroused the other girls' ire; they looked
a