her mind to the course of action
which she should pursue on the morrow.

When she definitely awoke, she determined on one thing, that, unless
pressed by circumstances, she would not ask the Devitts for help.

The old ladies were already down when she went in to breakfast. Miss
Annie, directly she saw Mavis, took up a letter that she had laid
beside her plate.

"I've heard from Mrs Devitt, dear," she said, after she had asked
Mavis, according to custom, how she had slept.

"What does she say?" asked Mavis indifferently.

"That she regrets she is unable to offer you anything at present, but
if, at any time, you would take a clerkship in one of the companies in
which her husband is interested, they might be able to provide you with
a berth," replied Annie.

"Oh!" said Mavis shortly.

"She has also sent me a postal order for your fare," continued Annie.

Mavis made no reply.

The two old maids glanced significantly at one another; presently,
Annie Mee was emboldened to ask:

"Do you think you would like to earn your living in the manner
indicated?"

"I have decided not to," replied Mavis shortly.

"Of course, if you would prefer to stay with us," began Miss Helen.

"If you have no objection, I will leave for good tomorrow morning,"
said Mavis.

"Leave for good!" cried the two old ladies together, who, now that they
believed Mavis to be going, were dismayed at the prospect of living
without her.

"It will be better for all of us," remarked Mavis.

"But have you anything in view, dear?" asked Miss Annie.

"Nothing very definite. But I've every hope of being settled in a day
or two."

The two old ladies heaved a sigh of relief; for all their affection for
the girl, they found that her healthy appetite made serious inroads
into the meager profits of the college. After breakfast, Mavis went
upstairs for her hat. She opened the drawers at the base of her
old-fashioned looking-glass and counted up her possessions. These
amounted to seven pounds, thirteen shillings and sevenpence halfpenny;
in addition to which, there was a quarter's salary of four pounds ten
shillings due to her; also, there was her fare which Mrs. Devitt had
sent, a sum which she was undecided whether or not to accept. At any
other time, Mavis would have thought that this money would have been
ample provision with which to start life; but her one time ignorance on
this matter had been rudely dissipated by her fruitless search after
emplo