her last. Had you any trouble in making your way here?"

"Oh, not a bit. I found the tram, just as Eve told me. But I'm so
sorry! And a fine day too! You don't often have fine days here, do
you, Mr. Hilliard?"

"Now and then. So you've seen Dudley at last. What do you think of
it?"

"Oh, I like it! I shouldn't mind living there a bit. But of course I
like Birmingham better."

"Almost as fine as Paris, isn't it?"

"You don't mean that, of course. But I've only seen a few of the
streets, and most of the shops are shut up to-day. Isn't it a pity
Eve has to live so far off? Though, of course, it isn't really very
far--and I suppose you see each other often?"

Hilliard took a seat, crossed his legs, and grasped his knee. The
girl appeared to wait for an answer to her last words, but he said
nothing, and stared at the floor.

"If it's fine to-morrow," Patty continued, after observing him
furtively, "are you coming to Dudley?"

"Yes, I shall come over. Did she send any message?"

"No--nothing particular----"