g a straw, but had refused to take
it. There was little likelihood of her getting a second chance. She
must resign herself to the worst. She had forgotten; one hope was still
left, one she had, hitherto, lost sight of: this to pray to her
Heavenly Father, to remind Him that she, as a human sparrow, was in
danger of falling; to implore succour. Although she had knelt morning
and evening at her bedside, it had lately been more from force of habit
than anything else; her heart had not inspired her lips. There had been
some reason for this: every morning she had been devoured by eagerness
to get work; at night, she had been too weary and dispirited to pray
earnestly. Mavis covered her eyes with her hands; she prayed heartfully
and long for help. Words welled from her being; their burden was:

"I am young; I love life; help me to live, if only for a little while,
in this glorious, wonderful world of Thy making. I only ask for bread,
for which I am eager to work. Help me! Help me! Help me!"

Mavis uncovered her eyes. The tea-shop, the music, the indefinable
odour of women all seemed bizarre after her communion with the Most
High. She made ready to go.

"Are you in trouble?" said a voice at her elbow.

"Yes," she replied.

"I must help you," said the voice.

Mavis saw a richly dressed, bejewelled, comfortable-looking woman at
her side.

She was not in the least surprised; a friend had been sent in answer to
her prayer.

"Is it over money?" asked the instrument.

Mavis nodded.

"I thought as much. I saw you outside the tea-shop and followed you in.
Is your time your own?"

"Absolutely."

"No parents or anyone?"

"I haven't a friend or relation in the world."

"Ah! I must really help you. Come with me. Let me pay for your tea."

Mavis, before she went, found time to offer up brief, heartfelt thanks
for having speedily received an answer to her prayer.

CHAPTER TWELVE

MRS HAMILTON'S

Mavis followed her new friend past the pay box, down the carpeted
stairs, into the street. She could not help seeing how bedraggled a
sparrow she appeared when contrasted with the brilliant plumage of the
woman at her side. A superb motor drew up to the pavement, from which a
man got down to open the door.

"Get inside, dear," said the woman.

Mavis did as she was bid, hardly realising the good fortune which had
so unexpectedly overtaken her.

"Telegraph office, then home," said the woman, who had, also, got into