Gertrude sat down by the fire again. Her exhaustion was evident, and she made no attempt to help her mother. Mrs. Marvell let down the chair-bed, drew it near the fire, and found some bed-clothes. Then she produced night-things of her own, and helped Gertrude undress. When her daughter was in bed, she made some tea, and dry toast, and Gertrude let them be forced on her. When she had finished, the mother suddenly stooped and kissed her. "Where are you going to now, Gertrude? Are you staying on with that lady in Hamptonshire?" "Can't tell you my plans just yet," said Gertrude sleepily--"but you'll know next week." The lights were put out. Both women tried to sleep, and Gertrude was soon heavily asleep. But as soon as it was light, Mrs. Marvell heard her moving, the splash of water, and the lighting of the fire. Presently Gertrude came to her side fully dressed-- "There, mother, I've made _you_ a cup of tea! And now in a few minutes I shall be off." Mrs. Marvell sat up and drank the tea. "I didn't think you'd go in such a hurry," she said, fretfully. "I must. My day's so full. Well, now look here, Mother, I want you to know if anything were to happen to me, my thousand pounds would come to you first, and then to Winnie and her children. And it's my wish, that neither my brother nor Henry shall touch a farthing of it. I've made a will, and that's the address of my solicitors, who're keeping it." She handed her mother an envelope. Mrs. Marvell put down her tea, and put her handkerchief to her eyes. "I believe you're up to something dreadful, Gertrude,--which you won't tell me." "Nonsense," said Gertrude, not however unkindly. "But we mayn't see each other for a good while. There!--I'll open the windows--that'll make you feel more cheerful." And she drew up the blinds to the dull February day, and opened a window. "I'll telephone to Winnie as I go past the Post Office to come and spend the day with you--and I'll send up the servant to do your room. Now don't fret." "I'm a lonely old woman, Gertrude:--and I wish I was dead." Gertrude frowned. "You should try and read something, Mother--better than these trashy novels. When I've time, I'll send you a parcel of books--I've got a good many. And don't you let your work go--it's good for you. Now good-bye." The two women kissed--Mrs. Marvell embracing her daughter with a sudden fierceness of emotion to which Gertrude submitted, almost for the first time in her life. Then her mother pushed her away. "Good-bye, Gertrude--you'd better go!" Gertrude went out noiselessly, closing the door behind her with a lingering movement, unlike her. In the tiny hall below, she found the "general" at work, and sent her up to Mrs. Marvell. Then she went out into the grey February morning, and the little girl of the landlady standing on the steps saw her enter one of the eastward-bound trams.