"I can't stop!" she added thickly; "I hope you'll be luckier with your next companion."
"I shan't have another; changes upset me. And you must go when it suits you best, you know; don't stay on to give me time to make fresh arrangements, as I haven't any to make. Study your own convenience entirely."
"This week?"
"Yes, very well; let it be this week."
They said no more then. But the following afternoon, Mrs. Kincaid broached the subject abruptly.
"What are you going to do, Miss Brettan?" she inquired. "Have you anything else in view?"
"No," said Mary hesitatingly; "not yet."
The suppression of her motive made plain speaking difficult to both.
"I've no doubt, though," she added, "that I shall be all right."
"What a pity it is! What a pity it is, to be sure!"