Miss Levering raised grave eyes. 'The girls who need shelter and work aren't all serving-maids.'
'We know,' said Mrs. Heriot, with an involuntary flash, 'that all the women who make mistakes aren't.'
'That is why every woman ought to take an interest in this,' said Miss Levering, steadily; 'every girl, too.'
'Yes. Oh, yes!' Jean agreed.
'No.' Lady John was very decisive. 'This is a matter for us older——'
'Or for a person who has some special knowledge,' Mrs. Heriot amended, with an air of sly challenge. 'We can't pretend to have access to such sources of information as Miss Levering.'
'Yes, you can'—she met Mrs. Heriot's eye—'for I can give you access. As you suggest, I have some personal knowledge about homeless girls.'
'Well, my dear'—with a manufactured cheerfulness Lady John turned it aside—'it will all come in convenient.' She tapped the plan.
Miss Levering took no notice. 'It once happened to me to take offence at an ugly thing that was going on under my father's roof. Oh, years ago! I was an impulsive girl. I turned my back on my father's house.'