t have anything to go on with," continued Miss
Hunter.

About eleven, Mavis learned from Mr Gaby that Mr. Devitt would like to
see her. The manager conducted Mavis to the board room, where she found
Mr Devitt standing before the fire. Directly he saw her, he came
forward with outstretched hand.

"Good morning, Miss Keeves. Why--" He paused, to look at her with some
concern.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"You're different. If I may say so, you look so much more grown up."

"I've had rather a rough time since I last saw you."

"I can well believe it to look at you. Why didn't you write?"

"I didn't like to. It's good of you to do what you've done."

Mr Devitt appeared to think for a few moments before saying:

"I'm sorry I can't do more; but one isn't always in a position to do
exactly what one would like."

"Quite so," assented the girl.

More was said to the same effect, although Mavis could not rid herself
of the impression that he was patronising her. A further thing that
prejudiced her against Devitt was his absence of self-possession. While
speaking, he gesticulated, moved his limbs, and seemed incapable of
keeping still.

"I'll pay you back the three pounds you so kindly sent me, gradually,"
said Mavis presently.

"Wouldn't hear of it; nothin' to me; only too happy to oblige you,"
declared Devitt, showing by his manner that he considered the interview
at an end.

As she walked towards the door, he said:

"By the way, where are you stayin'?"

"At Mrs Farthing's; it's quite near here."

"Quite two miles from us," remarked Devitt, as if more pleased than
otherwise at the information.

"Quite," answered Mavis.

"Well, good-bye! Let me know if I can ever do any-thin' for you," he
cried from the fireplace.

Mavis went back to her work. She had an hour's liberty at one, which
she spent at Mrs Farthing's, who provided an appetising meal of stewed
steak and jam roly-poly pudding.

About three, Miss Toombs made tea on the office fire; she asked Mavis
if she would like to join the tea club.

"What's that?" asked Mavis.

"You pay fourpence a week for tea and biscuits. We take it in turn to
make the tea and wash up: profits equally divided at Christmas."

"I shall be delighted," said Mavis, as she produced her purse.

"Not till tomorrow. Today you're a guest," remarked Miss Toombs
listlessly.

About four, there was so little to do that Miss Toombs produced a book,
whilst Miss Hunter rathe