Laura ran upstairs to dress for tea, taking two steps at a time. On the top landing, beside the great clothes-baskets, she collided with Chinky, who was coming primly down.
"O ki, John!" she greeted her, being in a vast good-humour. "What do you look so black for?"
"Dunno. Why do you never walk with me nowadays, Laura? I say, you know about that ring? You haven't forgotten?"
"Course not. When am I to get it? It never turns up." Her eyes glittered as she asked, for she foresaw a further link in her chain. "Soon, now?"
Chinky nodded mysteriously. "Pretty soon. And you promise faithfully never to take it off?"
"But it must be a NICE one ... with a red stone in it. And listen, Chink, no one must ever know it was you who gave it me."
"All right, I swear. You're a darling to say you'll wear it," and putting her arm round Laura's shoulders, Chinky gave her a hearty kiss.
This was more than Laura had bargained for;—she freed herself, ungraciously. "Oh, don't!—now mind, a red stone, and for the third finger of the left hand."
"Yes. And Laura, I've thought of something to put inside. SEMPER EADEM ... do you like that, Laura?"
"It'll do.—Look out, there's old Day!" and leaving Chinky standing, she ran down the corridor to her room.