“I’m not sure I’d like that,” said Elsie, giggling. “I know quite enough about my past without wanting help. But I must say I’d like to know what she’s got to say about the future. You know, I mean what’s going to happen to me.” “Oh, well, you’re married, my dear. There’s not much else she can tell you, except whether you’ll have boys or girls.” “Thank you!” Elsie exclaimed, tossing her head. “None of that truck for me, thank you. Losing one’s figure and all!” “You’re right. Anyway, let’s come on, shall we?” “Come on. I say, Ireen, she’ll see us both together, won’t she?” “I hope so. I wouldn’t go in to her alone for anything. Swear you won’t ever repeat anything she says about me, though.” “I swear. And you won’t either?” “No.” The crystal-gazer lived in a street off King’s Road, Chelsea, a long way down. A little hunch-backed girl opened the door and asked them to go into the waiting-room. This was a small, curtained recess off the tiny hall, and contained two chairs and a rickety table covered with thin, cheap-looking publications. There were several copies of a psychic paper and various pamphlets that purported to deal with the occult. “I’m a bit nervous, aren’t you?” whispered Elsie. She fiddled with her wedding-ring, and finally took it off and put it in her purse. When the hunch-backed child appeared at the curtains, both girls screamed slightly. “Madame Clara is ready for you,” announced the little girl, in a harsh, monotonous voice. She led them up to the first floor, into a room that was carefully darkened with blue curtains drawn across the windows. They could just discern a black figure, stout and very upright, sitting on a large chair in the middle of the room. A round stand set on a single slender leg was beside her. Elsie clutched at Irene’s hand in a nervous spasm. The black figure bowed from the waist without rising. “Do you wish me to see you both together, ladies?” Her voice was harsh and rather raucous in tone. “Yes, please,” said Irene boldly. “You quite understand that the charge will be the same as for two separate interviews?” “Yes.” The little girl advanced with a small beaded bag. “The fee is payable in advance, if you please.” Elsie fumbled in her purse, and pulled out two ten-shilling notes. “Half a guinea each, if you please, ladies.” “Irene, have you got two sixpences?” Elsie whispered, agitated. Irene, by far the more collected of the two, produced a shilling, and the little girl with the bag went away. “Will you two ladies be seated? One on either side of the table, please--not next to one another.” Elsie made a despairing clutch at Irene’s hand again, but her friend shook her head, and firmly took her place on the other side of Madame Clara.