“Have you ’ad your tea?”

“Yes, thank you,” she replied.

“Miss Nippett has told me of your errand.”

“She has also heard me play.”

“It is now only a question of terms,” said Mr Poulter gently.

“Quite so.”

“The last wish of ‘Poulter’s’ is to appear ungenerous, but, with remorseless competition in the Bush,” here Mr Poulter’s kindly face hardened, “everyone suffers.”

“The Bush?” queried Mavis.

“Shepherd’s Bush,” explained Poulter.  “Many of ‘Poulter’s’ clients, who are behindhand with their cheques for family tuition, have made payment with the commodities which they happen to retail,” remarked Poulter.  “Assuming that you were willing, you might care to take whole or part payment in some of these.”

Mavis was sorry, but money was a necessity to her.

“I quite understand,” said Poulter sympathetically.  “On ’Ordinary Days,’ ‘Poulter’s’ would require you from eleven in the morning till—­” Here he turned inquiringly to Miss Nippett.

“Carriages at ten thirty,” put in Miss Nippett promptly.

“Yes, carriages at ten thirty,” repeated Mr Poulter, who took a simple enjoyment in the reference to the association of vehicles, however imaginary, with the academy.

“And on ’Third Saturdays’?” said Poulter, as he again turned to Miss Nippett, as if seeking information.

“Special and Select Assembly at the Athenaeum, including the Godolphin String Band and light refreshments,” declared Miss Nippett.

“Ah! carriages at twelve,” said Mr Poulter with relish.  “That means your getting home very late.”

“I don’t mind.  I don’t live far from here.  I can walk.”

It was ultimately arranged that Mavis should be supplied with dinner, tea, and supper, and receive a shilling a day for five days of the week; on Saturdays, in consideration of her staying late, she was to get an extra shilling.

Mention was made with some pride of infrequent “Long Nights,” which were also held at the Athenaeum, when dancing was kept up till three in the morning; but, as Miss Nippett’s chilblains would probably be cured long before the date fixed for the next Terpsichorean Festival, as these special dances were called, no arrangement was made in respect of these.

“It is usual for ‘Poulter’s’ to ask for references,” declared Mr Poulter.  “But needless to say that one who has pioneered ‘Poulter’s’ into the forefront of such institutions can read character at a glance.”

Mavis thanked him for his confidence, but said that she could supply him with testimonials from her last two employers.  Mr Poulter would not dream of troubling her, and asked Mavis if she could commence her duties on that evening.  Upon Mavis saying that she could, Mr Poulter looked at his watch and said: 

“It still wants an hour till ‘Poulter’s’ evening classes commence.  As you’ve joined ‘Poulter’s’ staff, it might be as well if you shared one of the privileges of your position.”