oon, but
Esther's given notice. She's told Mrs. Elders that she can't afford to
stay on. I nearly shook her this morning. I asked her to let me help
her for the time being. I even said that I would take five per cent.
interest on the hateful money if she was so abominably proud, and she
laughed! She cried the next minute and said I was much too kind to
her, but she wouldn't listen. What have you done?"

"Everything," said Micky promptly. "In a couple of days--"

"My good man, that's much too long to wait."

"It's the best I can do," said Micky rather shortly. "And you'll find
it's a good best if you'll be patient."

He heard the sigh she gave.

"Honest Injun!" he said seriously.

"Oh, very well. If you let me down, Micky----"

"You won't be let down," Micky said.

June went back to Elphinstone Road with a heavy heart.

She was very thorough in her friendships, and it really seemed a
terrible thing to her that Esther would not accept help.

She felt so genuinely fond of the girl herself that she could not
understand the feeling of affection and confidence not being
reciprocated; she went up to her room and tucked herself into the big
armchair amongst the mauve cushions and smoked innumerable cigarettes.
Charlie was asleep by the fire; he found his way upstairs now without
invitation; he was beginning to get quite respectable-looking; he had
lost his wild, scared look, and even his purr had taken on a sleekier,
smoother sound.

June stared at him for some time, then suddenly she got up and went
downstairs.

She knocked at Esther's door, but there was no answer, and she went
back to her own room dejectedly.

If only Esther were not so proud they might have such good times
together! If only Esther had a little money and could go shares with
this room; but what was the good of wishing? She hurled one of the
mauve cushions across the room, and after that she felt better.

She went down to lunch because she hoped Esther would be there, but
she was not. The long room was rather empty, and June ate her cold
meat and pudding hurriedly and went back upstairs.

It was getting dusk when she heard Esther come in; she waited eagerly,
but the footsteps did not come on to her door. June threw another
cushion across the room to keep the other company; it was her chief
vent for anger or irritation.

"Confounded pride," she said under her breath. She paced up and down
for some minutes, then she caught Charlie up from h