She bowed her thanks to Mr Skeffington Dawes and left the room, all
unconscious of the malignant glance that Mr Orgles shot at her,
after turning his head to bring the girl within his range of vision.




CHAPTER SIX

"DAWES"


After securing a place in "Dawes'," which Mavis did at her interview
with Mr Skeffington Dawes (one of the directors of the firm), her
first sensation was one of disappointment, perhaps consequent upon
reaction from the tension in her mind until she was sure of
employment.

Now, she was resentful at having to earn her bread as a shop-girl,
not only on account of its being a means of livelihood which she had
always looked down upon, but also, because it exposed her to the
insults of such creatures as Orgles. She sat in Mrs Ellis' back
sitting-room three days before she was to commence her duties at
"Dawes'"; she was moody and depressed; on the least provocation, or
none at all, she would weep bitter tears for ten minutes at a time.

This physical lowness brought home to her the fear of possibly
losing her hitherto perfect health. The prospect of being overtaken
by such a calamity opened up a vista of terrifying possibilities
which would not bear thinking about.