, ever. We
rather brought ourselves up; we weren't taught anything about--well, all
the things that I suppose you were taught. We came to England when we
were about thirteen and fourteen; we hated it, the awful w-weather and
all our relations. Directly Tommy left school we came back to Italy,
and--well, Tommy got work here. And we knew nobody but--but--well, you
probably know the sort our friends are; I expect the others have told
you,' she added in parenthesis, with a passing glint of laughter,
remembering how Prudence had not sought the close acquaintance which
should enable her to know. 'We're very fond of them,' she added, and
affection submerged the laughter; 'we've had g-good times together.
Well, we hadn't much to live on, and the people round us gambled and ran
up debts, and never paid them till they had to; and we did, too. We
didn't think--or care--whether the things we did were decent, or honest,
or anything of that sort. We just went on from day to day, playing
round with each other and our friends, and we were very happy.... I
don't think, somehow, that we've ever had a proper chance.... And when
you j-judge us, you might, perhaps, remember that.'

Prudence, who had listened gravely in silence, as always, said now:

'How should I judge you, or you me? I have not done that, ever.'

Betty said, smiling a little sadly:

'No; you only--you only kept away. I know.... But all the same, I should
like you to understand a little.'

'I do understand,' said Prudence.

'Well, when we met all of you last winter, we didn't know the
difference--or didn't care, anyhow. We thought it was funny; and it was,
rather--Mrs. Venables, you know, and being s-studied, and--and all
that----' Laughter flickered again to the sad eyes, but died swiftly.
'And then, after some time, we got to understand.' The stammering
monotone was expressionless and hard. 'And ... well, that's all....
We've both of us rather minded.... I have been angry, I suppose, about
some things; but that's all done now.... And now we've kind of come to
see that the old things are no good any more--all spoilt, anyhow for
now--and we've got to go and look for new things, and perhaps we shan't
find them; but anyhow no one else can help.'

'I am sorry,' said Prudence Varley, after a moment, being able to offer,
it seemed, no help but that. Her eyes asked forgiveness, because, having
helped to break, she could have no share in the mending. She knew it was
true t