"Any place is beastly when one has to be there. And you've been here
a whole fifteen months. Think what I've missed!"

Mavis had, by now, got over her first excitement at meeting her old
friend: her habitual prudence essayed to work--essayed, because its
customary vigour was just now somewhat impaired.

"I'm glad to have met you again. Good-bye," she said.

"Eh!"

"It's time I got back."

The man stared at her in some astonishment.

"Perhaps you're right," he remarked presently.

"Right!" she echoed, faintly surprised.

"I'm only a waster. Nobody wants anything to do with me."

Something in the tone of the man's voice stirred her heart to pity.

"I'm not a bit like that," she said.

"Rot! All women are alike. When a chap's down, they jump on him.
After all, you can't blame 'em."

Mavis stood irresolute.