twelve shillings a week as a "local girl" in pantomime, preferred the lesser lights of the stage for tenants. She knew their ways, their freedom from "side," their unexacting habits. When sh

d-floor front, and ow

e sill of each a pot of flowers, mignonette in the one, sweet peas in the other, helped to create an impression of freshness. This was strengthened by the paucity of its furniture and the chilly look which an unrelieved expanse of linoleum invariably

prehensive gestu

ic-à-bric washstand and-My dear, be careful of the chair! It's a real antique, only three legs and a swinger! Sit on the bed, it's safer. Pretty little place, isn't it? We'll ha

s in. Common yellow soap was all she could offer for this purpose. She was only able to afford the fancy variety and cheap perfumes when she was

nt to go in for the stage? Don

t," said Alexandra. "I've longed

nce. I don't know how to do anything useful. I suppose you got cracked about the stage, same as

iling reply; "on

Half-castes? Y

or have lived in India. M

an of

es

or, and, superior being as she thought him, knew tha

ing to be prou

vice for generations. It had not occurred to her to t

your father and the rest of your relations must be

lations are dead. I ha

does h

me to live with them." Alexandra gave th

didn'

why one prefers not to live with uncongenial rela

hing in comm

aggy. "If I were you I'd go back and say: 'Nunky old dear, I've changed my mind. I'll come and live with

are three girls, and they find it a tight fit without me. They're not rich.... W

apped he

isn't to become a star-actress. That's clean beyond her. It's to find a

oncile such a statement with one so

't think like th

thoughts and their prowling ways. But I haven't met any that I liked. If I had, perhaps I shouldn't be h

ch somber colors. There mus

him see, and as I'm not God Almighty the only thing I can do is to give him a hand. That's how I feel about you. The traffic's dangerous enough when you've got eyes in your head, like I have. It's all traffic on the stage. I suppose you think you'll be able to look after yourself? Well, you wait and see. There'll be Mr. Johnnie at the stage-door asking you to h

y. Hardly ever before had she sought the companionship of another girl,

n Maggy's frankness, recognized it as a manifestation of genuineness and honesty, and succumbed to it as she had to the girl's fascinating viv

, looking and smiling. There was som

um," said Alexa