"If only I might cry a bit," she reflected. "That would help a
little. But I mustn't even do that!"

She had to prod herself into fresh briskness with the sense of her
need, that to-day was the end. She sighed, jerked her chin up, set
her small face into the shape of resolute cheerfulness and started
forth again in the direction of the second vacancy for a typist.

Here, for a while, hope burned high. The office was that of a firm of
thriving wine exporters and the post had not yet been filled. The
partner into whose office she penetrated by virtue of her sheer
determination to see someone in authority, was a stout ruddy
Marseillais, speaking French in the full-throated Southern fashion;
he was kindly and cheery, with broad vermilion lips a-smile through
his beard.

"Yes, we want a typist," he admitted; "but I'm afraid" his amiable
brown eyes scrutinized her with manifest doubt. "You have
references?" he inquired.

Yes, Annette had references. She had only lost her last situation
when her employer went bankrupt; the testimonial she produced spoke
well of her in every sense. She gave it him to read. But what what
was it in her that had inspired that look of doubt, that look she had
seen so often before in the eyes of possible employers?

"Yes, it is very good." He handed the paper back to her, still
surveying her and hesitating. "And you are accustomed to the machine?
H'm!"

It was then that hope flared up strongly. He could not get out of it;
he must employ her now. Salary? She would take what the firm offered!
And still he continued to look at her with a hint of embarrassment in
his regard. She felt she was trembling.

"I'm afraid" he began again, but stopped at her involuntary little
gasp and shifted uneasily in his chair. He was acutely uncomfortable.
An idea came to him and he brightened. "Well, you can leave your
address and we will write to you. Yes, we will write to you."

And to-day was the end! Annette stared at him. "When?" she asked
shortly.

The burly man reddened dully; she had seen through his pretext for
getting rid of her. "Oh, in a day or two," he answered uneasily.

Annette rose. She had turned pale but she was quite calm and
self-possessed.

"I I hoped to get work today," she said. "In fact, I must find it
today. But will you at least tell me why you won't give me the
place?"

The big man's cheery face began to frown. He was being forced to fall
back on his right to employ or not to