It was unprecedented, in Elsie’s experience, to hear Geraldine setting forth a claim, however obliquely, to be considered interesting. Elsie looked at her in astonishment. “She must be gone on this fellow,” she thought, and without the slightest compunction she immediately put forth all her own powers to attract Morrison’s notice and admiration to herself. The task proved to be as easy as it was congenial. In a very little while, Elsie and young Morrison were talking and joking together, and it was only an occasional, spasmodic, and quite evidently conscientious effort from Morrison that from time to time caused Geraldine to be included in the conversation. Morrison told Elsie that he travelled for a big firm of silk merchants in the City, and was very little in London. “How did you and Geraldine meet, then? I thought you were in the same office as her during the war,” said Elsie sharply. “Just for six months I was, and then I got this job in the place of a man who’d joined up. I was under age for joining up myself, worse luck,” said the youth. Then he must be younger than she was herself, Elsie reflected, surprised. She felt oddly touched by the thought. She looked at Morrison, and found that he was looking at her with admiration evident in his dark eyes. Elsie allowed her eyes to dwell for a second on his before she broke the momentary silence. “What about tea, Geraldine?” “All right,” said her sister sulkily. “Where’s the hurry?” It was already half-past four, but Elsie guessed that Geraldine did not want to go and fetch the tea and leave her alone with Morrison. “No hurry, I suppose,” she cried gaily, “but I’m a bit tired, that’s all, and I thought I’d like a nice cup of tea. It’s a good long way to come, and the Tube was pretty full.” “Where did you come from?” Morrison asked eagerly. She named the suburb. “You must come and look us up one day, Mr. Morrison. My husband is a solicitor, and he’s always at home on Saturdays and Sundays. The rest of the week I’m by myself and ever so lonely,” sighed Elsie. “I’d love to come. I should--er--like to meet Mr. Williams,” said Morrison solemnly. “Here’s Mother!” Geraldine announced sharply, as a door banged downstairs. Mrs. Palmer came in, breathing heavily, her hands full of parcels. “Elsie! Dear me, this _is_ a surprise. Good afternoon, Mr. Morrison, how are you? Quite well, thank you, but for Anno Domini, that’s all that’s the matter with me.” She dropped into a chair. “Where’s tea?” “I’ll get it up,” said Geraldine. “Go and give her a hand,” Mrs. Palmer calmly directed young Morrison. “My gurl is out. They’re all the same, nowadays--always out, never in.” “_I_ never have any trouble with servants,” Elsie murmured. She was annoyed that her mother should thus dismiss Morrison, and that he should meekly prepare to obey her. He opened the door for Geraldine and went out behind her, and Elsie heard her sister talking animatedly as they went downstairs.