Florence felt that never in the whole course of her life had she enjoyed anything more than that cup of cocoa.
When the meal was finished Miss Franks jumped up and began to wash the cups and saucers.
"You must let me help you," said Florence. She sprang very determinedly to her feet. "I have done these things over and over for mother at home," she said, "and I really must wash my own cup and saucer."
"You shall wipe, and I will wash," said Miss Franks. "I don't at all mind being helped. Division of labour lightens toil, does it not? There, take that tea-towel; it is a beauty, is it not? It is Russian."
It was embroidered at each edge with wonderful stitches in red, and was also trimmed with heavy lace.
"I have a sister in Russia, and she sent me a lot of these things when I told her I meant to take up housekeeping," said Miss Franks. "Now that we have washed up and put everything into apple-pie order, what about that manuscript?"
"What manuscript?" said Florence, starting and colouring.
"The one you brought into the room. You don't suppose I didn't see? You have hidden it just under that pillow on the sofa. Lie down once more on your place of repose, and let me run my eye over it."
"Would you?" said Florence. She coloured very deeply. "Would you greatly mind reading it aloud?"
"You have written it, I presume?" said Miss Franks.