"But you can't live on seven shillings a week?"

"I sh'd think not, indeed. We have to make up the rest as best we
can, s'nough."

"But your employers must know that?"

"In course. What's the odds? All us girls are the same; we have to
keep on the two jobs at the same time. But I'll give up the day-work
before long, s'nough. I come home at night that tired out I ain't
fit for nothing. I feel all eyes, as the sayin' is. And it's hard to
have to go out into the Strand, when you're like that."

"But do they know about all this at home?"

"No fear! If our father knew, he'd be down here precious soon, and
the house wouldn't hold him. But I shall go back some day, when I've
got a good fit-out."

The door opened quietly, and Ida came in.

"Well, young people, so you are making yourselves at home."

The sweet face, the eyes and lips with their contained mirth, the
light, perfect form, the graceful carriage,--Waymark felt his
pulses throb at the sound of her voice and the touch of her hand.

"You didn't mind waiting a little for me? I really couldn't help it.
And then, after all, I thought you mightn't come."