If both of them had avowed their faintness as often as they felt it,
the complaint would have been perpetual. But they generally made a
point of deceiving each other, and tried to delude themselves;
professing that no diet could be better for their particular needs
than this which poverty imposed.

'Ah! it's a good sign to be hungry,' exclaimed Virginia. 'You'll be
better this afternoon, dear.'

Alice turned over 'The Christian Year,' and endeavoured to console
herself out of it, whilst her sister prepared the meal.





CHAPTER III

AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN




Virginia's reply to Miss Nunn's letter brought another note next
morning--Saturday. It was to request a call from the sisters that
same afternoon.

Alice, unfortunately, would not be able to leave home. Her disorder
had become a feverish cold--caught, doubtless, between open window
and door whilst the bedroom was being aired for breakfast. She lay