CHAPTER ELEVEN

MAVIS'S PRAYER


The next morning, Mavis was awakened by Mrs Bilkins bringing her a
cup of tea.

"Bless my soul!" cried Mrs Bilkins, almost spilling the tea in her
agitation.

"What's the matter?"

"You've got your window open. It's a wonder you're alive."

"I always sleep with it open."

"Well, you are funny. What will you do next?"

Mrs Bilkins sat on the bed, seemingly inclined to gossip. Mavis did
not discourage her; for some reason, the landlady was looking
different from when she had seen her the day before. Curious to
discover the cause, she let the woman ramble on unchecked about the
way in which "her son, a Bilkins," had "demeaned himself" by
marrying a servant.

Then it occurred to Mavis that the way in which Mrs Bilkins had done
her hair was the reason for her changed appearance: she had arranged
it in imitation of the manner in which Mavis wore hers.