s approaching them a
red-capped head came cleanly up out of the water near the steps and she
recognised the strong jaw and gleaming teeth of Gertrude. She neither
spluttered nor shook her head. Her eyes were wide and smiling, and her
raucous laugh rang out above the applause of the group of girls.

Miriam paused under the overhanging gallery. Her eyes went,
incredulously, up to the spring-board. It seemed impossible... and all
that distance above the water.... Her gaze was drawn to the flicking of
the curtain of one of the little compartments lining the gallery.

6

"Hullo, Hendy, let me get into my cubicle." Gertrude stood before her
dripping and smiling.

"However on earth did you do it?" said Miriam, gazing incredulously at
the ruddy wet face.

Gertrude's smile broadened. "Go on," she said, shaking the drops from
her chin, "it's all in the day's work."

In the hard clear light Miriam saw that the teeth that looked so
gleaming and strong in the distance were slightly ribbed and fluted and
had serrated edges. Large stoppings showed like shadows behind the thin
shells of the upper front ones. Even Gertrude might be ill one day; but
she would never be ill and sad and helpless. That was clear from the
neat way she plunged in through her curtains....

Miriam's eyes went back to the row of little curtained recesses in the
gallery. The drapery that had flapped was now half withdrawn, the light
from the glass roof fell upon the top of a head flung back and shaking
its mane of hair. The profile was invisible, but the sheeny hair rippled
in thick gilded waves almost to the floor.... How hateful of her,
thought Miriam.... How beautiful. I should be just the same if I had
hair like that... that's Germany.... Lohengrin.... She stood adoring.
"Stay and talk while I get on my togs," came Gertrude's voice from
behind her curtains.

Miriam glanced towards the marble steps. The little group had
disappeared. She turned helplessly towards Gertrude's curtains.
She could not think of anything to say to her. She was filled with
apprehension. "I wonder what we shall do to-morrow," she presently
murmured.

"I don't," gasped Gertrude, towelling.

Miriam waited for the prophecy.

"Old Lahmann's back from Geneva," came the harsh panting voice.

"Pastor Lahmann?" repeated Miriam.

"None other, Madame."

"Have you seen him?" went on Miriam dimly, wishing that she might be
released.

"Scots wha hae, no! But I saw Lily's f