"Seems more like punishing yourself. But have you lunched, then?"
"No." Salvina flushed slightly.
"No? What's up? A Jewish fast! Ninth day of Ab, fall of Temple, and funny things like that. One always seems to stumble upon them in the East End."
"How you do rattle on, Kitty!" and Salvina smiled. "No, I shall lunch as soon as these children are released."
"But why wait for that?"
Salvina's blush deepened. "Well, one doesn't want to eat a good dinner before hungry girls."
"A good dinner! Why, what in heaven's name do you get? Truffles and plovers' eggs?"
"No, but I get a very good meal sent in from the Cooking Centre opposite, and compared with what these girls get at home, steak and potatoes are the luxuries of Lucullus."
"Oh, I don't believe it. They all look fatter than you. Then this is double punishment for you—extra work and hunger. Do send them away. They get on my nerves. And have your lunch like a sensible being." And without waiting for Salvina's assent: "Go along, girls," she said airily.
The girls hesitated and looked at Salvina, who coloured afresh, but said, "Yes, this lady pleads for you, and I said that if you all promised to—"