“My dear girl, I’m full of interest––chock full to the brim! But we came here for tea, so we may as well eat something while I try to think of a plan.” He wrinkled his forehead. “Of course,” he ejaculated, “that chap––what did you say his name was?”

“What chap? Oh, the fiancé! I don’t know; she hasn’t even let me see his photograph yet; but she says he writes dreams of letters. I haven’t seen them either, of course.”

“He may send her some more money. After all, you say it’s only four days since she heard from him. That’s not very long; men are always rotten letter writers.”

Miss Mason looked wise.

“Four days is a long time when you’re in love,” she said. “If you were engaged to Esther Shepstone I’ll bet you’d write to her every day. You’re just the kind. Oh, I know what you’re going to say––that you’re cut out for a bachelor, and rubbish like that, but you wait and see, Micky––it’s never too late.”

“I’ve never written a love-letter in my life,” Micky declared indignantly. “And, anyway–––”

June leaned across the table and looked at him with accusing eyes.

“Never? On your word of honour, Micky?”

Micky laughed and coloured.

“Well, perhaps––once!” he admitted. “But that’s beside the point, isn’t it?... I’ll think things over and write to you.”

“Yes, but soon, Micky, soon! It’s not a case where you can sit down with your feet on the mantelpiece and 69 give yourself a week to turn things over in your mind. I want to know at once, to-morrow––to-night, if possible. I know what Esther is––she’ll be gone before I can turn round, and I should hate her to go. I haven’t got many friends, and I do feel that she and I are going to be real friends––great friends ... I don’t know when I’ve taken such a fancy to anybody–––”

69

“You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that,” said Micky. His eyes were shining. Then he realised that he had displayed rather unnecessary warmth and hastened to amend his words. “I always said that what you wanted was a real woman friend,” he added more quietly.

June was drawing on her gloves; she had very white hands and beautifully-kept finger-nails, and she was very proud of them.

“Never mind me,” 

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