‘He’s gone.  Good-night.’

And Monica left the room.

Next day she notified her intention of leaving her employment.  No questions were asked; she was of no particular importance; fifty, or, for the matter of that, five score, young women equally capable could be found to fill her place.

On Tuesday morning there came a letter from Virginia—­a few lines requesting her to meet her sisters, as soon as possible after closing time that evening, in front of the shop.  ’We have something very delightful to tell you.  We do hope you gave notice to-day, as things are getting so bright in every direction.’

At a quarter to ten she was able to run out, and close at hand were the two eagerly awaiting her.

‘Mrs. Darby has found a place for Alice,’ began Virginia.  ’We heard by the afternoon post yesterday.  A lady at Yatton wants a governess for two young children.  Isn’t it fortunate?’

‘So delightfully convenient for what we were thinking of,’ put in the eldest, with her croaking voice.  ’Nothing could have been better.’

‘You mean about the school?’ said Monica dreamily.

‘Yes, the school,’ Virginia replied, with trembling earnestness.  ’Yatton is convenient both for Clevedon and Weston.  Alice will be able to run over to both places and make enquiries, and ascertain where the best opening would be.’

Miss Nunn’s suggestion, hitherto but timidly discussed, had taken hold upon their minds as soon as Alice received the practical call to her native region.  Both were enthusiastic for the undertaking.  It afforded them a novel subject of conversation, and inspirited them by seeming to restore their self-respect.  After all, they might have a mission, a task in the world.  They pictured themselves the heads of a respectable and thriving establishment, with subordinate teachers, with pleasant social relations; they felt young again, and capable of indefinite activity.  Why had they not thought of this long ago? and thereupon they reverted to antistrophic laudation of Rhoda Nunn.

‘Is it a good place?’ their younger sister inquired.

’Oh, pretty good.  Only twelve pounds a year, but nice people, Mrs. Darby says.  They want me at once, and it is very likely that in a few weeks I shall go with them to the seaside.’

‘What could have been better?’ cried Virginia.  ’Her health will be established, and in half a year, or less, we shall be able to come to a decision about the great step.  Oh, and have you given notice, darling?’

‘Yes, I have.’

Both clapped their hands like children.  It was an odd little scene on the London pavement at ten o’clock at night; so intimately domestic amid surroundings the very antithesis of domesticity.  Only a few yards away, a girl, to whom the pavement was a place of commerce, stood laughing with two men.  The sound of her voice hinted to Monica the advisability of walking as they conversed, and they moved towards Walworth Road Station.