e push.'
His voice broke slightly. His face twitched. 'You can go. Get another
job.' He looked at Gertie.

'Put down your address. I give it to the police. You get something for
wages.' He slowly turned away and sat down on a chair, his eyes fixed on
the wall.

There was a repressed hubbub of talking. Then Gertie made the first move
and went up to the change room. She came back a minute or two later in
her long coat and large hat, carrying a parcel which none noticed as
being rather large for a comb. It contained the company's cap and apron
which, thought she, she might as well save from the wreck.

Gertie shook hands with Cora. 'See yer ter-night,' she said airily,
'same old place; 'bye Miss Prodgitt, 'ope "Force" 'll lift you out of
this.' She shook hands with Victoria, a trifle coldly, kissed Lottie,
threw one last malevolent look at Stein's back. The door closed behind
her. She had passed out of the backwater into the main stream.

Lottie, a little self consciously, pulled down the pink blinds, in token
of mourning. The 'Rosebud' hung broken on its stalk. Then, silently, she
went up into the change room, followed by Cora; a pace behind came
Victoria, all heavy with gloom. They dressed silently. Cora, without a
word, kissed them both, collected her small possessions into a reticule,
then shook hands with both and kissed them again. The door closed behind
her. When Lottie and Victoria went down into the shop, Cora also had
passed into the main stream. Gladys had gone with her.

The two girls hesitated for a moment as to whether they should speak to
Stein. It was almost dark, for the October light was too weak to filter
through the thick pink blinds. Lottie went up to the dark figure.

'Cheer up,' she said kindly, 'it's a long lane that has no turning.'

Stein looked up uncomprehendingly, then sank his head into his hands.

As Lottie and Victoria turned once more, the front door open behind
them, all they saw was Bella Prodgitt, lymphatic as ever, motionless on
her chair, like a watcher over the figure of the man silently mourning
his last hopes.

As they passed into the street the fresh air quickened by the coming
cold of winter, stung their blood to action. The autumn sunlight, pale
like the faded gold of hair that age has silvered, threw faint shadows
on the dry white pavements where little whirlwinds of dust chased and
figured like swallows on the wing.

Lottie and Victoria walked quickly down the city s