“June Mason’s natural beautifier....”

She looked at the glowing face opposite to her.

“Do you use it for your own skin?” she asked shyly.

Miss Mason chuckled; she pushed the tray to one side along the floor.

“I don’t mind telling you that I’ve never used cream to my skin at all,” she said. “But people think I do, and so there you are! Have some more tea?”

She refilled Esther’s cup and lit another cigarette. “So 51 that’s what I am,” she said. “And now go on, and tell me about yourself. You said you were at Eldred’s!”

“Yes, I was there for two years. I rather liked it! I love pretty things, and I was in the workroom. They paid me quite well, too, though it was hard work, and then––well, then I left–––” her voice changed subtly.

“Why?”

The query was only interested, and not at all impertinent.

Esther flushed.