"What's the matter?" asked Mavis.
"Did he—did he send and tell you to tell me as 'ow he'd won."
The wistful old eyes were so pleading, that Mavis fibbed.
"Of course he sent me."
"I thought he wouldn't forget his old friend," she remarked with a sigh of relief. "'E'd surely know I was anxious to know."
Mavis told Miss Nippett of her engagement to play at "Poulter's" during the latter's absence.
"Don't you count on it being for long," said Miss Nippett.
"I hope it won't be, for your sake."
"I'm counting the minute' till I shall be back again at the academy," declared Miss Nippett.
Mavis, as she looked at the eager, pinched face, could well believe that she was speaking the truth.