ck and a new coat...."

"Yes," said Micky eagerly; he was glad she had bought a new coat; he
remembered how thin hers had been on that memorable night, and how she
had shivered in the cold night air.

"She was as pleased as a child with a new toy," Miss Mason went on.
"She brought them all up to my room to show me when they came home,
and we both tried them on ... and you've no idea how sweet she
looked," she added with enthusiasm. "Of course, I suppose this is
boring you horribly," she said deprecatingly.

"No," said Micky honestly. "It's not boring me at all, I promise
you."

"Well, anyway, she got the clothes, and now the place where she was
before say they can't take her back--it's Eldred's, the petticoat
shop. I don't suppose you know it, but----"

"I know it very well," said Micky.

"Oh, do you?" She laughed. "Well, they either won't or can't take her
back, and now she feels that she ought not to have spent the money on
the new frock and coat, and this morning she told me that she was
afraid she would have to leave Elphinstone Road, as it was more than
she could afford." June's eyes flashed. "Micky, what can one do with
people who are poor and proud? It's a most difficult combination to
fight. I blundered in and offended her by offering to lend her some
money, and, of course, she wouldn't hear of it, and there you are!"

She sighed, and leaned back in her chair despondently.

"Have a cake," said Micky absently; he pushed the plate across to her.
"The ones with the white sugar are nice."

Miss Mason ignored him.

"If that's all the interest you take----" she said offendedly.

Micky started.

"My dear girl, I'm full of interest--chock full to the brim! But we
came here for tea, so we may as well eat something while I try to
think of a plan." He wrinkled his forehead. "Of course," he
ejaculated, "that chap--what did you say his name was?"

"What chap? Oh, the fiance! I don't know; she hasn't even let me see
his photograph yet; but she says he writes dreams of letters. I
haven't seen them either, of course."

"He may send her some more money. After all, you say it's only four
days since she heard from him. That's not very long; men are always
rotten letter writers."

Miss Mason looked wise.

"Four days is a long time when you're in love," she said. "If you were
engaged to Esther Shepstone I'll bet you'd write to her every day.
You're just the kind. Oh, I know what you're going to say--that you're