“I know that age,” said I to Hilary.

“My window looked out towards the street. You’re sure you won’t tell? Well, there was a house opposite—”

“And a young man in it,” said I.

“How did you know that?” asked Miss Phyllis, blushing immensely.

“No girls’ school can keep up its numbers without one,” I explained.

“Well, there was, anyhow,” said Miss Phyllis. “And I and two other girls went to a course of lectures at the Town Hall on literature or something of that kind. We used to have a shilling given us for our tickets.”

“Precisely,” said I. “A hundred pounds!”

“No, a shilling,” corrected Miss Phyllis. “A hundred pounds! How absurd, Mr. Carter! Well, one day I—I—”

“You’re sure you wish to go on, Phyllis?” asked Mrs. Hilary.

“You’re afraid, Mrs. Hilary,” said I severely.