"Who'd look at me?" There was a vain effort in this speech to corroborate the disclaimer; but there was also an ingenuous and pathetic appeal for some sort of reassurance, for this was Sally's hidden fear. "Don't be a fool, Sally. If a girl makes up her mind to have a man...." Sally's heart leapt. She looked with shining eyes of glory at Mrs. Perce. It was the announcement of her dream, a confirmation of her hope. She was for a moment ecstatic. "Oh, Mrs. Perce!" "You just look at him like that, my dear. Well, I'll tell you.... You don't want to look _too_ fresh. Don't use peroxide. Henna's the stuff for you." "Henna! How much?" Sally was desperate. The word was open sesame to her. "Wait a bit. I'll think. Henna. And a face cream. But mind, Sally, be careful. Not too much of it. And whatever you do, remember your neck. _You_ don't see it; but others do. All that's above your dress. And a bit below. Some people are inquisitive. And just a bit of lip salve--just a tinge. See, your lips aren't red enough. But you've got to be on the watch not to overdo it. No good looking like a tart." "No. It's just the hair and the freckles," breathed Sally. "Oh, well.... We'll make a picture of you. And the eyebrows, Sally. But only a bit, Sally. Only a bit. You've got to be moderate...." Mrs. Perce went off into a delighted silence. She was in her element. She had before her a great opportunity, and all her vanity was roused. They understood one another. And for all Sally's disclaimer Mrs. Perce was in no way deceived about her ultimate object. She was as aware of Toby as if she knew the facts. But she was too shrewd to force a confidence. To herself she was laughing with the full enjoyment which some women, if not most of them, bring to the contemplation of an intrigue and its ultimate consequences. Later, she resolved to add a word of warning upon the handling of that subject. But more thought encouraged her to be silent. There was that in Sally's bearing which gave Mrs. Perce to understand that in the long run Sally knew what she was about. Mrs. Perce was conscious of a smart feeling of admiration for this child. xi