Presently, Mavis told the woman how she had got temporary
employment, and added:

"But it's work I'm quite unaccustomed to."

To her surprise, Mrs Bilkins bridled up.

"Just like me. I ain't used to letting lodgin's; far from it."

"Indeed!" remarked Mavis.

"Oh, well, if you don't believe me, ask Mrs Bonus."

When Mavis came downstairs, she found Mrs Bilkins busy trimming a
hat. The next day, the landlady wore it about the house, when Mavis
was surprised and amused to see that it was a shabby imitation of
her own. At first, she could scarcely believe such emulation to be
possible, but when, after buying a necessary pair of gloves, she
found that her landlady had got a new pair for herself, she saw that
Mrs Bilkins was possessed by jealousy of her lodger. This belief was
strengthened by the fact of Mrs Bilkins making copious reference to
past prosperity directly Mavis made innocent mention of former
events in her life which pointed to her having been better off than
she was at present. It was fourteen days before Miss Nippett's
chilblains were sufficiently healed to allow her to take her place
at "Poulter's" piano. During this time, Mavis became on friendly
terms with the dancing-master; the more she saw of him, the more he
became endeared to the lonely girl. Apart from his vanity where the
academy was concerned (a harmless enough foible, which saddened