JEAN. And still no work? MISS L. No; but by that time I had some real education--an unpaid hotel bill, and not a shilling in the world. (_Slight pause._) Some girls think it hardship to have to earn their living. The horror is not to be allowed to---- JEAN. (_bending forward_). What happened? LADY JOHN (_rises_). My dear (_to_ MISS LEVERING), have your things been sent down? Are you quite ready? MISS L. Yes, all but my hat. JEAN. Well? MISS L. Well, by chance I met a friend of my family. JEAN. That was lucky. MISS L. I thought so. He was nearly ten years older than I. He said he wanted to help me. (_Pause._) JEAN. And didn't he? (LADY JOHN _lays her hand on_ MISS LEVERING'S _shoulder._) MISS L. Perhaps after all he did. (_With sudden change of tone._) Why do I waste time over myself? I belonged to the little class of armed women. My body wasn't born weak, and my spirit wasn't broken by the _habit_ of slavery. But, as Mrs. Heriot was kind enough to hint, I do know something about the possible fate of homeless girls. I found there were pleasant parks, museums, free libraries in our great rich London--and not one single place where destitute women can be sure of work that isn't killing or food that isn't worse than prison fare. That's why women ought not to sleep o' nights till this Shelter stands spreading out wide arms. JEAN. No, no---- MRS. H. (_gathering up her gloves, fan, prayer-book, &c._). Even when it's built--you'll see! Many of those creatures will prefer the life they lead. They _like_ it. MISS L. A woman told me--one of the sort that knows--told me many of them "like it" so much that they are indifferent to the risk of being sent to prison. "_It gives them a rest_," she said. LADY JOHN. A rest! (MISS LEVERING _glances at the clock as she rises to go upstairs._) (LADY JOHN _and_ MRS. HERIOT _bend their heads over the plan, covertly talking._) JEAN (_intercepting_ MISS LEVERING). I want to begin to understand something of--I'm horribly ignorant. MISS L. (_Looks at her searchingly_). I'm a rather busy person---- JEAN. (_interrupting_). I have a quite special reason for wanting _not_ to be ignorant. (_Impulsively_). I'll go to town to-morrow, if you'll come and lunch with me. MISS L. Thank you--I (_catches_ MRS. HERIOT'S _eye_)--I must go and put my hat on. [_Exit upstairs._ MRS. H. (_aside_). How little she minds all these horrors! LADY JOHN. They turn me cold. Ugh! (_Rising, harassed._) I wonder if she's signed the visitors' book! MRS. H. For all her Shelter schemes, she's a hard woman. JEAN. Miss Levering is? MRS. H. Oh, of course _you_ won't think so. She has angled very adroitly for your sympathy. JEAN. She doesn't look hard. LADY JOHN (_glancing at_ JEAN _and taking alarm_). I'm not sure but what she does. Her mouth--always like this ... as if she were holding back something by main force! MRS. H. (_half under her breath_). Well, so she is.