... What a wonderful way of living ... dropping a trunk full of things and going off with a portmanteau; starting life afresh in a new strange place. Miriam regarded the limber capable form outstretched on the narrow bed. This dark little enclosure, the forced companionship of the crowd of competing adventuresses, the sounds of them in the near cubicles, the perpetual sound filling the house like a sea of their busy calculations ... all this was only a single passing incident ... beyond it were the wide well-placed lives of wealthy patients.
“Miss Younger is a sweet woman.”
Miriam’s eyes awoke to affronted surprise.
“You know de-er; the wan yow was sitting by at tea-time. I told you just now.”
“Oh” said Miriam guiltily.
Miss Dear dropped her voice; “she’s told me her whole story. She’s a dear sweet Christian woman. She’s working in a settlement. She’s privately engaged to the Bishop. It’s not to be published yet. She’s a sweet woman.”
Miriam rose. “I’ve got to get back, I’m afraid.”
“Don’t hurry away, dear. I hoped you would stay and have some supper.”
“I really can’t” said Miriam wearily.
“Well, perhaps we shall meet again before Thursday. You’ll ask Mrs. Bailey about my box,” said Miss Dear getting to her feet.