ng of something; why shouldn't I leave the Club
and come and live with you.'

Victoria looked at her critically for a moment. She thought of her
independence, of this affection hovering round her, sweet, dangerously
clinging. But Betty's blue eyes were wet.

'You're too good a pal for me, Betty,' she said in a low voice. 'I'd
make you miserable.'

'No, no,' cried Betty impulsively. 'I'd love it, Vic dear, and you would
go on reading and do what you like. Only let me be with you.'

Victoria's hand tightened on her friend's arm.

'Let me think, Betty dear,' she said.

Ten days later, Betty having won her point, the great move was to take
place at seven o'clock. It certainly lacked solemnity. For three days
preceding the great change Betty had hurried away from the P.R.R. on the
stroke of nine, quickly kissing Victoria and saying she couldn't wait as
she must pack. Clearly her wardrobe could not be disposed of in a
twinkling. Yet, on moving day, at seven o'clock sharp (the carrier
having been thoughtfully commanded to deliver at five) a tin trunk kept
together by a rope, a tiny bath muzzled with a curtain, and a hat box
loudly advertising somebody's tea, were dumped on the doorstep. The cart
drove off leaving the two girls to make terms with a loafer. The latter
compromised for fourpence, slammed their door behind him and lurched
down the creaking stairs. Betty threw herself into Victoria's arms.

Those first days were sweet. Betty rejoiced like a lover in possession
of a long-desired mistress; stripping off her blouse and looking very
pretty, showing her white neck and slim arms, she strutted about the
attic with a hammer in her hand and her mouth full of nails. It took an
evening to hang the curtain which had muzzled the bath; Betty's art
treasures, an oleograph of 'Bubbles' and another of 'I'se Biggest,' were
cunningly hung by Victoria so that she could not see them on waking up.

Betty was active now as a will o' the wisp. She invented little feasts,
expensive Sunday suppers of fried fish and chips, produced a basket of
oranges at three a penny; thanks to her there was now milk with the tea.
In a moment of enthusiasm Victoria heard her murmur something about
keeping a cat. In fact the only thing that marred her life at all was
Victoria's absorption in her reading. Often Betty would go to bed and
stay awake, watching Victoria at the table, her fingers ravelling her
hair, reading with an intentness that frightene