n the shop windows! Philippa smiled whimsically at the
thought that already Theo had made an impression. What further triumphs
or humiliations had this Fleet Street in store for her?

Well, it was a wonderful drive! If Saint Paul's had been impressive,
what about that glorious pile of buildings at Westminster, and the first
glimpse of the river by night! It was like a dream--a wonderful dream--
in which the imagined glories of the world passed in review before the
eyes.

That night the girls were in the clouds, lifted far above mercenary
anxieties; but they came back to earth again next morning when their
boxes had been unpacked and stored away, and they were confronted with
the all-important question of the next move. When lunch was over
silence fell suddenly upon the little room, and four pairs of eyes met
in solemn conclave.

"I--er--I shall go round to the Slade School and make inquiries," said
Madge quickly. "We are settled down now, and must lose no more time. I
shall ask what is the very first day I can join."

"I shall write to Mr Hammond, the editor of the _Casket_. His firm
publish books as well as the magazine, and he took most of father's
things. I shall ask him if he can see me for ten minutes, as I am
thinking of devoting myself to literature as a profession, and should be
grateful for his advice."

"I--er--I am going to pay a call at Hampstead," said Hope, trying to
look confident and self-possessed, but flushing a tell-tale pink all
over her delicate face. "You remember the name of Miss Minnie
Caldecott, who sings some of father's songs? I found one of her cards,
and she is at home every Tuesday afternoon. I thought if I went early I
might see her before any one else arrived. I have been working at that
new song ever since you left, Phil, and it _is_ pretty! It's the best
thing I have written, and if she took a fancy to it, and promised to
sing it at concerts, it would be so much easier to find a publisher. If
I can summon courage I shall ask her to let me accompany her as well.
If I could sell a few songs, and make a little money by playing
accompaniments, it would help to pay for my lessons."

Poor Hope! She looked at once so frightened, so eager, and so pretty
that her sisters broke into a simultaneous murmur of sympathy.

"I'll go with you," said Philippa quickly. "You must have some one to
support you, poor dear! And how--oh, how are we going to find our way?"

"Ask the po