squeezed June's hand when he said good-bye.

"Let me know if you get back all right; I shall see you soon."

He raised his hat, stood aside, and the car started forward.

June looked at Esther with a sort of shyness. It seemed as if years
must have passed since they were down at Enmore.

The car had rolled out of the station and into the heart of London
before either of them spoke; then Esther said, stiltedly:

"It was kind of you to come."

June flushed.

"It wasn't kind at all," she said bluntly. "You're my friends, or, at
least, you were, and, as for Micky--well, I love him."

There was a sort of defiance in her voice. She had seen the tired,
strained look in Micky's face, and she was nearer being angry with
Esther than she had ever been, but she turned and took her hand.

"Somehow I never thought I should see you again," she said, with real
emotion. "I haven't slept a wink since you went away."

"You're much too good to me," Esther said. "Everyone is much too good
to me."

"I think Micky is, certainly," June agreed exasperatedly. "The man's a
perfect fool to run about like he does after a woman who doesn't care
two hoots about him.... There! now I oughtn't to have said that.
Esther, if you're crying...."

Esther had covered her face with her hands.

"I'm not crying," she said in a stifled voice. "But I'm so ashamed. I
don't know what you must think of me--it's so--so humiliating."

"It's nothing of the kind," June declared. "The only mistake you've
made is to put your money on the wrong man, if you'll excuse the
expression. Raymond Ashton was always an outsider.... There! I won't
say another word. You've come home, and that's all that matters."

It was only when they were safely up in the room with the mauve
cushions that she flung her hat down on the sofa and drew a long
breath.

"Well, I never thought we should be here together again," she said
tragically. "It seemed like the end of everything when I found your
note on the pincushion. I don't know what I should have done if it
hadn't been for Micky."

"I don't know what I should have done either," Esther said. She met
June's eyes and flushed crimson. "I've been horrid about him, I know,"
she added bravely. "And now I'm sorry."

June said "Humph." She sat for a moment staring at the floor, then she
got up and searched for the inevitable cigarettes.

"You ought to go to bed," she said in her most matter-of-fact tone.
"Where did you sleep las