leaner's shop. One or two girls have evening lessons,
but our pupils for the most part are able to come in the day. Miss
Barfoot hasn't much interest in the lower classes; she wishes to be of
use to the daughters of educated people. And she is of use. She is
doing admirable work.'

'Oh, I am sure she must be! What a wonderful person!'

'It occurs to me that she might help Monica.'

'Oh, do you think she would?' exclaimed Virginia, with eager attention.
'How grateful we should be!'

'Where is Monica employed?'

'At a draper's in Walworth Road. She is worked to death. Every week I
see a difference in her, poor child. We hoped to persuade her to go
back to the shop at Weston; but if this you speak of were possible--how
_much_ better! We have never reconciled ourselves to her being in that
position--never.'

'I see no harm in the position itself,' replied Miss Nunn in her rather
blunt tone, 'but I see a great deal in those outrageous hours. She
won't easily do better in London, without special qualifications; and
probably she is reluctant to go back to the country.'

'Yes, she is; very reluctant.'

'I understand it,' said the other, with a nod. 'Will you ask her to
come and see me?'

A servant entered with tea. Miss Nunn caught the expression in her
visitor's eyes, and said cheerfully--

'I had no midday meal to-day, and really I feel the omission. Mary,
please do put tea in the dining-room, and bring up some meat--Miss
Barfoot,' she added, in explanation to Virginia, is out of town, and I
am a shockingly irregular person about meals. I am sure you will sit
down with me?'

Virginia sported with the subject. Months of miserable eating and
drinking in her stuffy bedroom made an invitation such as this a
veritable delight to her. Seated in the dining-room, she at first
refused the offer of meat, alleging her vegetarianism; but Miss Nunn,
convinced that the poor woman was starving, succeeded in persuading
her. A slice of good beef had much the same effect upon Virginia as her
more dangerous indulgence at Charing Cross Station. She brightened
wonderfully.

'Now let us go back to the library,' said Miss Nunn, when their meal
was over. 'We shall soon see each other again, I hope, but we might as
well talk of serious things whilst we have the opportunity. Will you
allow me to be very frank with you?'

The other looked startled.

'What could you possibly say that would offend me?'

'In the old days you told me a