At the first interval Pixie came forward in response to eager beckonings, and stood leaning against the side of the box talking to her friend, with superb disregard of the more extended audience. "Fancy, now, the two of us meeting without knowing that we were here! You look quite old, Lottie, with your hair done up. Turn your head and let me see the back! D'you still curl it with slate-pencils, like you did at school? I came home at Christmas, and I've thought of writing ever since, but I've been too busy. I suppose you're busy too, now you are grown-up and living at home. Have you come out, and gone to dances in low necks? We had an old servant at Knock, and one day a friend came to lunch and she says to Bridgie, `That's a fine, handsome young lady!' `She is,' says Bridgie. `She's just come out!' `Out of w'ere?' says Molly, staring." Pixie darted a quick glance round the box to enjoy the general appreciation of her joke, then gave a low chuckle of satisfaction. "Ye'll never guess what I'm doing!" "No," said Lottie Vane complacently. She too had noticed the smiles of the audience, and was anxious to encourage her friend in her reminiscences. In society people were always grateful for being amused, and if in her recital Pixie let fall further references to the standing and importance of her family, why, so much the better for all concerned. "What mischief are you up to now, you funny little thing?" "I'm in service!" said Pixie proudly. The shocked amaze of Lottie's expression, the involuntary rustle of surprise which went round the box, were as so many tributes to the thrilling nature of the intelligence, and she waited a moment to enjoy it before pointing unabashed in the direction of the two children, and condescending to further explanations. "Me pupils! I've been with them now for over a month." "What do you mean? How absurd you are, Pixie!" cried Lottie irritably. "In service--you! I never heard such nonsense. As if you were a servant! I don't know what you are talking about!" "I get wages, anyhow, and that's all I care about. They are my pupils, I tell you, and I've brought them here with their mother for a little diversion. I've the training of them every morning for a couple of hours, and thirty pounds a year paid every month. Jack and I make enough between us to support the family." "You don't really mean it?" gasped Lottie, horrified. Her cheeks were scarlet, and it was evident that she was profoundly uncomfortable, but as she met the triumphant eyes her face softened, and she made a valiant effort to retain composure. "You mean to say you have turned into a governess at sixteen--you who were always at the bottom of the class, and couldn't get a sum right to save your life! Poor little girls, I pity their education! How did you ever persuade the mother to take you?" Mamzelle Paddy tossed her head with complacent pride.