"Yes, dear, you may drag in those moss-grown and mouldering old officials as much as you please to show me that it isn't only a pack of women, but I'm not in the least impressed. Unfortunate old dotards put into khaki which is much too tight for them, and probably thinking what a pity it is that a pretty girl should talk so much nonsense! I met Dr. Prince the other day, and I can assure you that he doesn't in the least enjoy your interference with his Hospital." "Probably not. I've had it put on to a proper military basis, and all these country practitioners resent anything done by the R.A.M.C." "Nothing to do with the R.A.M.C., darling," retorted Lesbia piercingly. "Don't be childish! All that _he_ resents--and I perfectly sympathize with him--is being shown his business by a chit who, as he says himself, probably would never have come into the world alive at all without his help." Char left the honours of the last word with the outspoken Mrs. Willoughby, having, indeed, no reply ready to fit the occasion. "Well, good-night, Char, and if you like to eat humble pie and come to me at any time, Lewis and I will be perfectly delighted. I've always longed to have a girl of my own, as I told Joanna, and I understand _all_ young things. Don't I, my Puffles? Now I must take 'oo home, precious one, so come along. Oh! mustn't bark--naughty, naughty!" Char turned her back on Mrs. Willoughby and the utterly unsilenced Puff, and left the Canteen. She had meant to return to the office again, but had stayed longer than usual at the Canteen, and decided to go back to the Hostel instead. Certainly, it was uncomfortable there, and as the piercing weather continued, she found the lack of comfort ever more trying. But to return nightly to Mrs. Willoughby and Puff! She dismissed the thought with a shudder. Besides, there were her mother and Trevellyan and Miss Bruce to convince that she was in earnest about her work, and would undergo discomfort and privation in order to carry it on successfully. Even Dr. Prince, Char reflected with some bitterness, might admit that she was prepared to make sacrifices in the attainment of her goal.