Hilliard began to walk down the street. Patty, keeping close at his
side, regarded him with glances of wonder.

"Is it true that we're going to Paris? I couldn't make out whether
she meant it, and this morning I couldn't get a word from her."

"Are you willing to go with her?"

"And have all my expenses paid?"

"Of course."

"I should think I am! But I daren't let my uncle and aunt know;
there'd be no end of bother. I shall have to make up some sort of
tale to satisfy my aunt, and get my things sent to the station while
uncle's playing billiards. How long is it for?"

"Impossible to say. Three months--half a year--I don't know.
What about Mr. Daily?"

"Oh, I've done with _him_!"

"And you are perfectly sure that you can get employment whenever you
need it?"

"Quite sure: no need to trouble about that. I'm very good friends
with aunt, and she'll take me in for as long as I want when I come
back. But it's easy enough for anybody like me to get a place. I've
had two or three offers the last half-year, from good shops where