Marie was still away upon her trail.  “I don’t really let myself go as much as you might think.  I’m always dressed for breakfast, if I’ve been up half the night; I don’t allow myself to be slovenly.  And however I’ve had to hurry over putting the children to bed, and cooking dinner and things, I always change my blouse and put on my best slippers before Osborn comes in.  I feel—­at home I feel as if I look quite nice; but when I come out of it”—­she indicated her surroundings—­“I realise I’m just a dowd who’s fast losing what looks she had.  When I come out, and see others, I—­I know I can’t compete.  It makes you almost afraid to come out.  And Osborn—­while I’m at home, plodding along, you see, he’s out, seeing the others all the time.  He sees them in the restaurants, and they pass him in the street—­girls as I used to be.”

“You must leave all these thoughts alone.”

“Girls, Julia, as—­as I could be again, if I had the chance.”

“Would you like a cigarette?” Julia asked abruptly; “if so, we’ll go to the smoke-room.”

“I’d love it; it’s ages since I smoked.  But I haven’t time.  I must be going.”

“Already?”

“It’ll be the children’s bedtime, and mother can’t manage them alone.”

“Oh, of course, dear,” Julia said.  “How stupid of me!” She folded very tenderly round Marie’s neck the stole which had been star turn in the trousseau six years ago, and very tenderly she pressed her hands.

“Don’t make the jersey suit for George; I want to give it to him for Christmas!”

“Oh, Julia, I couldn’t!”

“Yes, you could and will.”

“You’re an old darling.”

“That’s all right, Mrs. Osborn Kerr.  Now I’ll take you as far as your Tube or ’bus.  Which is it?”

Marie went home the warmer for Julia’s companionship and her visit to the most up-to-date women’s club in town; she looked almost girlish again when she stepped into No. 30 Welham Mansions, to relieve Grannie Amber of the onerous responsibilities which she undertook so gladly.

“Well, duck,” said Mrs. Amber, coming out with her funny walk, which was at once a waddle, because of her weight, and a trip, from the energy of her disposition, “have you had a lovely day?”

“Such a nice time, thank you, mother.  Babes been good?”

“Perfect little angels!” Mrs. Amber lied with innocent sincerity.

“I’ll begin putting them to bed directly I’ve laid down these parcels.  I’ve got the cream socks and the flannel for baby’s new petticoats, but the jersey suits were too dear.  Julia’s going to give George one for Christmas.”

“That’s very kind of her, love.  I always think she has a good heart, though I don’t like her opinions.  The bath water’s hot, my duck, and baby’s in bed, and the others are undressed, all ready, waiting for you.”

“You are a good grannie!”