“One can be conscious of an inner atmosphere, without calling it thought.” “Much fog about?” Some of the sensitive fire came back into Eve’s eyes. “Kate, I am horribly afraid of being crushed—of becoming one of the crowd. It seems to me that one may never have time to be oneself.” “You mean that the effort to live leaves no margin?” “That’s it. I suppose most of us find in the end that we are the slaves of our hack work, and that our ambitions die of slow starvation. Think of it. Think of the thousands of people who had something to do or say, and were smothered by getting a living.” “It’s the usual thing. I felt it myself. I nearly gave up; but I set my teeth and scratched. I’ve determined to fight through—to refuse to be smothered. I’ll get my independence, somehow.” “Sometimes I feel that I must throw up all this bread and butter stuff, and stake everything on one adventure.” “Then don’t do it. I have seen people try it. Ninety-nine out of the hundred come back broken, far worse off than they were before. They’re humble, docile things for the rest of their lives. Carry the harness without a murmur. Not a kick left, I know.” “I have been thinking of a secretaryship. It might give me more leisure—breathing space——” “Try it!” “Are you being ironical?” “Not a bit. I’ll speak to Miss Champion. She’s not a bad sort, so long as you are tweety-tweety and never cause any complications.” “I wish you would speak to her.” “I will.” Kate Duveen had peculiar influence with Miss Champion, perhaps because she was not afraid of her. Miss Champion thought her a very sound and reliable young woman, a young woman whose health and strength seemed phenomenal, and who never caused any friction by going down with influenza, and so falling into arrears with her work. Kate Duveen had made herself a very passable linguist. She could draw, type, scribble shorthand, do book-keeping, write a good magazine article or edit the ladies’ page of a paper. Every year she spent her three weeks’ holiday abroad, and had seen a good deal of Germany, Italy and France. Miss Champion always said that Kate Duveen had succeeded in doing a very difficult thing—combining versatility with efficiency. “So Miss Carfax would like a secretaryship? I suppose you think her suitable?” “There is not a safer girl in London.” “I understand you. Because she has looks.” “I think you can ignore them. She is very keen to get on.” “Very well. I will look out for something to suit her.” “I’m much obliged to you, Miss Champion. I believe in Eve Carfax.” * * * * * CHAPTER XXV HUGH MASSINGER, ESQ.