Love at Paddington
the same effect with some of us. Have you ever been gone on any one, Miss Rabbit?" 

 "Only to a very moderate extent," replied the forewoman precisely. "And it's such a long while ago, Madame, that I've nearly forgot all about it." 

 "I don't like to see one of my girls turn like this all at once," said Madame with anxiety.  "Moreover, she's the handy one in the business. There's nothing she doesn't know about the work, and little she can't do. If anything happened to you, I've always had the idea of putting her in your position." 

 Miss Rabbit's features twitched; she corrected the slip at once by assuming a look of cordial agreement.  "You always know the right thing to do, Madame," she murmured reverently. 

 "How'd it be to call her in, and both of us have a talk to her, and find out whether she's got anything on her mind?" 

 "That's a splendid notion," admitted Miss Rabbit with enthusiasm.  "Or shall I have a quiet chat with her first, and pave the way, so to speak?" 

 "I wish you would," said Madame.  "You're not particularly clever, but I believe you've got a kind heart." 

 The forewoman that evening, whilst the girls were washing and sharing the brush and comb, and complaining that hair came out by the handful, entered the office; announcing the occasion as her birthday, she asked Miss Higham to leave books, and assist in celebrating the event by taking with her a cup of chocolate. Gertie wanted to reach home early in order to see whether an expected letter had arrived, but the invitation suggested a rare compliment, and, with a stipulation arranging that the hospitality should not exceed the space of twenty minutes, she accepted. In an A.B.C. shop at the corner, later, Gertie raised her large cup and wished Miss Rabbit many happy returns. Her eyes wandered rather eagerly about the crowded tables; the inspection over, she sighed. 

 "Wonder if I can trust you, dear," said Miss Rabbit, resting elbows. "I've been so often taken in over friendships with people that I suppose I'm more cautious than most. But there's a look about you—perhaps, though, I'd better keep on the safe side." 

 "I'm not one to chatter." 

 "I know, I know. That's why I've always took to you specially."  Again Miss Rabbit stopped. She stirred her cup of chocolate slowly. 

 "If 
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