tortures from a racking headache, went listlessly upstairs; she
wondered if she would be allowed to go straight to bed. When she got
into the room, she found everything in confusion. Miss Potter, Miss
Allen, and Miss Impett were frantically exchanging their working
clothes for evening attire. Mavis was surprised to see the three
girls painting their cheeks and eyebrows in complete indifference to
her presence. They took small notice of her; they were too busy
discussing the expensive eating-houses at which they were to dine
and sup. Miss Potter, in struggling into her evening bodice, tore it
behind. Mavis, seeing that Miss Allen was all behind with her
dressing, offered to sew it.

"Thank you," remarked Miss Potter, in the manner of one bestowing a
favour. Mavis mended the rent quickly and skilfully. Perhaps her
ready needle softened the haughty Miss Potter's heart towards her,
for the beauty said:

"Where are you off to to-night?"

"Nowhere," answered Mavis.

"Nowhere!" echoed Miss Potter disdainfully, while the other
occupants of the room ejaculated "My!"

"Haven't you a 'boy'?" asked Miss Potter.

"A what?"

"A young man then," said Miss Potter, as she made a deft line
beneath her left eye with an eye pencil.