His jaded, practised eyes took in her changed appearance, and priced her furs more accurately than she had done. He knew they must have cost a good many hundreds, and wondered who had paid for them. But he made no comment and asked no questions. He would hear all about it in good time.
"Come for a fresh contract?" was all he said. "That's right."
Alexandra had not got back to Sidey Street when Maggy knocked at her door. She looked very fetching and contented in a gray squirrel coat, a present from Woolf. She often contrasted her lot with Alexandra's and felt uncomfortable when she thought of all she had and all that her poor proud Lexie went without.
When she heard that the latter was out she decided to await her in her room. Mrs. Bell accompanied her up to it. The first thing Maggy noticed was the absence of a fire. The tidy grate showed that it had not been lit that day. She shivered.
"What time do you expect her in?" she asked.
"She's sure to be back by half-past four," said Mrs. Bell.
"Well, hadn't you better light the fire?"
Mrs. Bell pursed her lips.
"She don't like her room hot," she mumbled.
"Nonsense; it's freezing!"