'What day was that?'
'This morning.'
'And the Battersea meeting?'
'That's not for another hour; but I have to be there first—to arrange.'
'When do you dine?'
'Oh, I'll get something either before the meeting or after—whenever there's time.'
'Isn't it a pity not to get your food regularly? Won't you last longer if you do?'
'Oh, I shall last.' She sat contentedly, hugging her big portfolio.
The lady glanced at the carriage clock. 'In the house where I live, dinner is a sort of sacred rite. If you are two seconds late you are disgraced, so I'm afraid I can't——'
'There's the bus I was waiting for!' Ernestine thrust her head out. 'Stop, will you!' she commanded the astonished Henderson. 'Good-bye.' She nodded, jumped out, shut the door, steadied her hat, and was gone.