you shouldn't, is there?" she said, more kindly
than she had as yet spoken. "I can assure you that I very often have
the blues, and I don't consider mine by any means the happiest sort of
life. But, of course, one feels differently a little if one has tried
to do something--and you can if you like, you know."

Sybil's face was perfectly brilliant with smiles.

"You think that I can?" she exclaimed. "How nice of you. I don't mind
how hard it is at first. I may be a little awkward, but I don't think
I'm stupid."

"You think this sort of work is the sort you would like best?"

"Why, yes. It seems so practical, you know," Sybil declared. "You must
be doing good, even if some of the people don't deserve it. I don't
know about the washing, but I don't mind it a bit. Do you think it will
be a busy morning?"

"I am sure it will," Mary answered. "A number of the people are getting
to work again now, since the Tariff Revision Bill passed, and they keep
coming to us for clothes and boots and things. I shall give you the
skirts and blouses to look after as soon as the washing is over.

"Delightful," Sybil exclaimed. "I am sure I can manage that."

"And on no account must you give any money to any one," Mary said.
"That is most important."

"I will remember," Sybil promised.

Two hours later she broke in upon her mother and half-a-dozen callers,
her hat obviously put on without a looking-glass, her face flushed, and
her hair disordered, and smelling strongly of disinfectant.

"Some tea, mother, please," she exclaimed, nodding to her visitors. "I
have had one bun for luncheon, and I am starving. Can you imagine what
I have been doing?"

No one could. Every one tried.

"Skating!"

"Ping-pong!"

Getting theatre-tickets at the theatre! She waved them aside with
scorn.

"I have washed fourteen children," she declared, impressively, "fitted
at least a dozen women with blouses and skirts, and three with boots.
Besides a lot of odd things."

Lord Arranmore set down his cup with a little shrug of the shoulders.

"You have joined Brooks' Society?" he remarked.

"Yes! I have been down at the Stepney branch all the morning. And do
you know, we're disinfected before we leave."

"A most necessary precaution, I should think," Lady Caroom exclaimed,
reaching for her vinaigrette, "but do go and change your things as
quickly as you can.

"I must eat, mother, or starve," Sybil declared. "I have never been so
hungry."

A so