zen to your six."

Presently, she spoke of Mrs Gowler.

"I've had every kid here, all seven of 'em, before the one I'm
'spectin' on Sunday. That's why Piggy calls me the 'permanent.' Do you
like Piggy?"

Mavis moved her head in a way that could either be interpreted as a nod
or a negative shake.

"I don't care for her very much, though I must say that so long as you
locks up yer things, and don't take notice of what she says or does
when she's drunk, she's always quite the lady."

Mavis, for all her growing weariness, smiled.

"Do you know why I reely come here?" asked the "permanent." "'Cause I
love Piggy's son, Oscar. Oh, he is that comic! He do make me laugh so,
I never can see enough of him. Don't you love looking at Oscar?"

Mavis shook her head.

"Don't you think him comic?"

"No," whispered Mavis.

"Go h'on! But there, I nearly forgot!"

The "permanent" left the room, at which Mavis closed her eyes, thankful
for a few moments' peace.

"Take this cornflour," said a voice at her elbow: the "permanent" had
brought her a basinful of this food. "I made it meself, 'cause Piggy
always burns it, an' Oscar puts his fingers in it."

"You're very kind," murmured Mavis.

"Hold yer jaw," remarked the "permanent" with mock roughness.

Mavis gratefully swallowed the stuff, to feel the better for it. When
she had finished the last drop, she lay back to watch the "permanent,"
who arranged the room for the night. Candle, matches, and milk were put
handy for Mavis to reach; an old skirt was put down for Jill; bed and
pillows were made comfortable.

"If you want me, I'm in the left top front with Mrs Rabbidge."

"Not alone?" asked Mavis.

"Not me. Give me company when I 'ave kids. I'll bring yer tea in the
morning."

Whatever misfortunes the fates had reserved for Mavis, they had endowed
her with a magnificent constitution; consequently, despite the
indifferent nursing, the incompetent advice, the ill-cooked food, she
quickly recovered strength. Hourly she felt better, although the
nursing of her baby was a continuous tax upon her vitality. Following
the "permanent's" advice, who was an old hand in such matters, Mavis
kept quite still and did not exert herself more than she could possibly
help. But although her body was still, her mind was active. She fretted
because she had received no reply to her last little letter to Perigal.
Morning and evening, which was the time when she had been accustomed to
get le