loafer, Mavis despised as a common, ignorant girl. Miss Potter she knew
to be fast; but Miss Allen, when alone with Mavis, went out of her way
to be civil to her; the fact of the matter being that she was a weak,
easily led girl, whose character was dominated by any stronger nature
with which she came in contact.

Another thing which much surprised Mavis was the heartless cruelty
the girls displayed to any of their number who suffered from any
physical defect. Many times in the day would the afflicted one be
reminded of her infirmity; the consequent tears incited the
tormentors to a further display of malignity.

Bella, the servant, was an object of their attentions; her gait and
manner of breathing would be imitated when she was by. She was
always known by the name of "Pongo," till one of the "young ladies"
had witnessed The Tempest from the upper boxes of His Majesty's
Theatre; from this time, it was thought to be a mark of culture on
the part of many of the girls at "Dawes'" to call her "Caliban."
Mavis sympathised with the afflicted woman's loneliness; she made
one or two efforts to be friendly with her, but each time was
repulsed.

One day, however, Mavis succeeded in penetrating the atmosphere of
ill-natured reserve with which "Pongo" surrounded herself. The
servant was staggering upstairs with two big canfuls of water; the
task was beyond her strength.

"Let me help you," said Mavis, who was coming up behind her.

Shan't," snorted Bella.