"Yes, thank you," she replied.
"Miss Nippett has told me of your errand."
"She has also heard me play."
"It is now only a question of terms," said Mr Poulter gently.
"Quite so."
"The last wish of 'Poulter's' is to appear ungenerous, but, with remorseless competition in the Bush," here Mr Poulter's kindly face hardened, "everyone suffers."
"The Bush?" queried Mavis.
"Shepherd's Bush," explained Poulter. "Many of 'Poulter's' clients, who are behindhand with their cheques for family tuition, have made payment with the commodities which they happen to retail," remarked Poulter. "Assuming that you were willing, you might care to take whole or part payment in some of these."
Mavis was sorry, but money was a necessity to her.
"I quite understand," said Poulter sympathetically. "On 'Ordinary Days,' 'Poulter's' would require you from eleven in the morning till—" Here he turned inquiringly to Miss Nippett.