"No parents or anyone?"
"I haven't a friend or relation in the world."
"Ah! I must really help you. Come with me. Let me pay for your tea."
Mavis, before she went, found time to offer up brief, heartfelt thanks for having speedily received an answer to her prayer.
CHAPTER TWELVE
MRS HAMILTON'S
Mavis followed her new friend past the pay box, down the carpeted stairs, into the street. She could not help seeing how bedraggled a sparrow she appeared when contrasted with the brilliant plumage of the woman at her side. A superb motor drew up to the pavement, from which a man got down to open the door.
"Get inside, dear," said the woman.
Mavis did as she was bid, hardly realising the good fortune which had so unexpectedly overtaken her.