"Ah," said Madame Hermiance. "Alors, I post it to-night myself."
"But this is no trifling matter," exclaimed Conrad, trembling with rage. "Miss Lascelles may lose a very large salary through this. That's a business letter—from an impresario. It should have been forwarded without delay."
"Tiens!" said Madame Hermiance calmly. "Julie! pack up ze collars."
He tramped across the shop, and the three girls' heads turned to the left. This much was certain: Rosalind had said that she and Tattie would be together. Sheer babble, that about the situation! If the note reached Tattie at once, there was hope yet. He strode back, and the three girls' heads turned to the right.
"Madame!"
"Monsieur?"
"I must apologise for occupying your time, but——"
"Ça ne fait rien," said the laundress. "Julie! pack up ze shirts."
"But I want you to do me a kindness—I want you to be good enough to send the letter to Miss Lascelles now, by a messenger. I suppose it won't take very long?"
"Mais, monsieur, I 'ave nobody to send."