'We don't read much, Tommy and I don't. There seems always something else to be done, out in the streets or somewhere.'
'The true pagan joy in mere living,' reflected Mrs. Venables, and continued: 'If one could call oneself, definitely, a member of any faith.... But one cannot, after all, sacrifice truth to beauty—even to the beauty of sympathy and close community with others.... You are happy in having found a firm foothold.'
Mrs. Venables was not crude enough to ask questions on these subjects; she drew confidence gently towards her. Doubt found in her always a ready hearer. But Betty, it seemed, was not in doubt.
A further step in intimacy Mrs. Venables achieved.
'If there is anything I can do to help you.... I should be glad, you know, to be of any service to your father's children.... We must see a great deal of each other.'
'Thank you very much,' said Betty, considering.
Mrs. Venables perceived the pondering glance of the melancholy eyes, and leaned forward, laying a gentle hand on the thin childish one, waiting confidence.
'Well ... if you would be so awfully kind as to l-lend us twenty francs,' the sad tones stammered.
'Lend you....'
Mrs. Venables drew back; her surprise startled Betty. It was, surely, a very usual and natural request.