"Isn't it beastly?" said the girl. "I suppose you've got to train it?"

"Yes; I'm living at Wandsworth. Have you far to go?"

"Notting Hill. I take the bus. Passmore hadn't got anything for you, had he?"

Mamie shook her head. "We were both unlucky; but perhaps it doesn't matter so much to you?"

"Doesn't it!... Have you been on his books long, Miss——?"

"Miss Cheriton—Mamie Cheriton."

"That's a good name; it sounds like a character in a play—as if she'd have a love-scene under the apple blossom! Where were you last?"

"At Mr. Faulkner's; but he didn't know of any vacancy either."

"I don't mean that," said Miss Forbes; "I mean, how long have you been out?"

"Oh," answered Mamie, "I left home at one o'clock; that's the worst of living such a long way off!"