"No; the billet's mine if I want it."
"And you actually hesitated?"
"Yes, mother, because I do not want it. That's the fact of the matter."
Mrs. Ringrose sat silent and looked displeased.
"Is the woman not nice?" she asked presently.
"She seemed all right; rather distinguished in her way; but the hours are atrocious, and I made that my excuse for thinking twice about accepting such a salary. I have promised to send a telegram this evening. But, oh, mother, I don't want to leave you; not to go to a dame's school and thirty pounds a year!"
"You would get your board as well."
"But you would be all alone."
"I could go away for a little. Your Uncle Spencer has asked me to go to the seaside next month with your aunt and the girls. I—I think it would do me good."
"You could leave me in charge, and I would write verses all the time."