disagreeable restlessness caused by Cecil's erratic
behaviour. As she hurried through the streets towards Sophie Blake's
lodgings, Claire pondered over the mystery of this sudden development on
Cecil's part. Where was she going? Whom was she going to see? Why
declare with one breath that she was without a friend, and with the next
that if she chose she might accept invitations every week? What special
reason had to-day inspired such unusual care in her appearance?

Sophie was at home. Lonely Claire felt quite a throb of relief as she
heard the welcome words. She entered the oil-clothed passage and was
shown into a small, very warm, very untidy front parlour wherein stood
Sophie herself, staring with widened eyes at the opening door.

"Oh, it's _you_!" she cried. "What a fright you gave me! I couldn't
think _who_ it could be. Come in! Sit down! Can you find a free
chair? Saturday is my work day. I've been darning stockings, and
trimming a hat, and ironing a blouse, and washing lace, and writing
letters all in a rush. I love a muddle on Saturdays. It's such a
change after routine all the week. What do you think of the hat? Seven
and sixpence, all told. I flatter myself it looks worth every penny of
ten. Don't pull down that cloth. The iron's underneath. Be careful of
that table! The ink-pot's somewhere about. How sweet of you to call!
I'll clear this muddle away and then we can talk ... Oh, my arm!"

"What's the matter with the arm?"

Sophie shrugged carelessly.

"Rheumatism, my dear. Cheerful, isn't it, for a gym. mistress? It's
been giving me fits all the week."

"The east winds, I suppose. I know they make rheumatism worse."

"They do. So does damp. So does snow. So does fog. So does cold. So
does heat. If you could tell me of anything that makes it _better_, I'd
be obliged. Bother rheumatism! Don't let's talk of it... It's
Saturday, my dear. I never think of disagreeables on Saturday. Where's
Miss Rhodes this afternoon?"

"I don't know. She made herself look very nice and smart--she can be
very nice-looking when she likes!--and went out for the day."

"Humph!" Sophie pursed her lips and contracted her brows as if in
consideration of a knotty point. "She was awfully pretty when I came to
the school ten years ago. And quite jolly and bright. You wouldn't
know her for the same girl. She's a worrier, of course, but it's more
than that. Something happened about six ye