"_Couldn't_ you for this last week do your best to be considerate and
kind? A week is not a very long portion of eternity. It is so painful to
think of two people separating for ever in hatred. You _have_ one week
left. Could you not make the most of it?"

"It's a week too much!" said the woman, with careless brutality. "Are
you always so fond of making long calls?" she added, staring at Anne.

Anne turned to the bed-ridden woman, saying, "On Thursday I shall be
going in to market and I'll call at the Union Infirmary and see the
Matron. I think you'll be better looked after there and have peace and
quietness."

"It couldn't be worse than this," said the woman. "I think perhaps I've
been foolish to stay here so long."

"I'll see the Matron for you on Thursday," said Anne. "Good-bye."

"Good-bye, and thank you," returned the sick woman, turning wearily away
from her fellow-lodger and settling down to the silence and endurance in
which she habitually lived.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Wright," said Anne to the other woman as she opened
the door. The woman stared in a way meant to put Anne out of
countenance, making no reply, while Anne, going outside, shut the door
gently behind her.