social gulf that, in reality, lay between her and them; she was,
also, aware that they were inclined to patronise her, particularly
Mrs Devitt and Miss Spraggs: the high hopes with which she had
commenced the day had already suffered diminution.

"And what are your aims in life?" Miss Spraggs asked presently; she
had found the peas to be as succulent as she had wished.

"To earn my own living," replied Mavis, who had seen that it was she
to whom the agreeable rattle had spoken.

"But, surely, that doesn't satisfy the young women of today!"
continued Miss Spraggs.

"I fear it does me; but then I don't know any young women to be
influenced by," answered Mavis.

"I thought every young woman, nowadays, was thirsting with
ambition," said Miss Spraggs.

"I suppose everyone, who isn't an idiot, has her preferences,"
remarked Mavis.

"I don't mean that. I thought every girl was determined on living
her own life to the exclusion of everything else," continued Miss
Spraggs.

"Really!" asked Mavis in some surprise, as she believed that it was
only the plain and unattractive women who were of that complexion of
thought.