Mavis sat up.

"'Ave a drink?" asked her benefactor.

"No, thank you."

"I don't mind a drop out of business hours, when I feel I've earned
it, as you might say. I've got a quartern in a bottle. If I'd
expected visitors, I'd have got more, but I'll go 'alves."

"No, thank you," repeated Mavis.

"Ah! Don't mind if I do?" said the woman, in the manner of one
relieved of the possibility of parting with something that she would
prefer to keep.

"Not at all."

The woman heated some water in a tin kettle, before mixing herself
hot gin and water in a tooth glass, the edge of which was smudged
with tooth powder.

"Smoke?"

"I do, sometimes," replied Mavis.

"Have a fag? A gentleman brought me these to-night."

Mavis somewhat reluctantly took and lit a cigarette. The woman did
likewise, sipped her grog, and then brought a chair in order that