her. She addressed Mavis rather hurriedly (she tried hard to act
conscientiously):

"I may as well say at once that the opportunity that presented
itself, when I wrote to Miss Mee, has passed."

The room seemed to move round Mavis. Mrs Devitt continued, as she
noticed the look of dismay on the girl's face:

"But I need hardly tell you that I will do all I can to do something
for you."

"Thank you," said Mavis.

"Can't you get anything to do in London?"

"I might."

"Have you tried?"

"A little."

Mavis felt tears welling into her eyes; she would never have
forgiven herself if she had displayed the extremity of weeping
before these people, who, after all, were not of her social world.
She resolved to change the subject and keep any expression of her
disappointment till she was safe from unsympathetic eyes.

"Did you know my father?" she asked.