for work. Her experiences were much the same as those of any
attractive, friendless girl seeking to earn her livelihood in
London. To begin with, she found that the summer was a time of year
in which the openings she sought were all obstinately closed, the
heads of firms, or those responsible for engaging additional
assistance, being either away on holidays, or back from these in no
mood to consider Mavis' application.

Another thing that struck her was that, whenever she went to
interview men, she was always treated civilly, cordially, or
familiarly; but the womenfolk she saw were invariably rude, directly
they set eyes upon her comeliness. Once or twice, she was offered
employment by men; it was only their free and easy behaviour which
prevented her accepting it. Mavis, as yet, was ignorant of the
conditions on which some employers of female labour engage girls
seeking work; but she had a sensible head screwed on her pretty
shoulders; she argued that if a man were inclined to be familiar
after three minutes' acquaintance, what would he be when she was
dependent upon him for a weekly wage? It was not compatible with her
vast self-respect to lay herself open to risk of insult, suggested
by a scarcely veiled admiration for her person after a few moments'
acquaintance. It was not as if she had any qualification of
marketable value; she knew neither shorthand nor typewriting; she
could merely write a decent hand, was on very fair terms with
French, on nodding acquaintance with German, and had a sound
knowledge of arithmetic.

On the face of it, her best course was to get a situation as
governess; but Mavis, after a week's trial, gave up the endeavour.
The mothers of possible pupils, with whom the girl's credentials