one?"

"You have been paid a good salary, Miss Blake--an exceptionally good
salary--because it is realised that your work is especially wearing.
You ought to have saved--"

"If I had had no home claims I might have been able to save one or two
hundred pounds--not a very big life provision! As it happens, however,
I have given thirty pounds a year towards the education of a young
sister, and it has been impossible to save at all."

"But now, of course, your sister will help _you_," Miss Farnborough
said, and turned briskly to another topic. "You said that you have been
to a specialist? Will you give me his address? I should like to
communicate with him direct. You understand, Miss Blake, that if this
stiffness continues, it will be impossible for you to continue your
duties here?"

"Quite impossible," faltered Sophie, in low tones.

Miss Farnborough pushed back her chair, and rose to her feet.

"But one hopes, of course, that all may go well. I have never had any
complaint to make with respect to your work. You have been very
successful, very popular with the girls. I should be sorry to lose you.
Be sure to let me know how you go on. Perhaps I had better be guided
by Dr Blank. I should try the pills, I think; they are worth trying.
And avoid the sea; sea air is bad for rheumatism. Try some high inland
place. We had better say good-bye, now, I suppose, as you will not come
back after to-night. Good-bye, my dear. Let me hear soon. All good
wishes for your recovery."

Sophie left the room, and made her way upstairs to the Staff-Room. She
moved very slowly, partly because every movement was an effort, partly
because the familiar objects on which her eyes rested became suddenly
instinct with new interest. For ten long working years she had passed
them daily with indifference, but this afternoon it was borne in upon
her that she would never see them again, and the conviction brought with
it a bitter pang. After all, they had been happy years, spent in a
bustle of youthful life and energy, in an atmosphere of affection, too,
for the girls were warm-hearted, and the "Gym. mistress" had been
universally popular. Even as the thought passed through Sophie's mind,
one of her special adorers appeared suddenly at the far end of the
corridor and hurried forward to meet her.

"Miss Blake! Darling! You look so white. Are you faint? Take my arm;
lean on me. Were you going to lie down?"

"I'm going to the