show themselves."

Rhoda had finished the work Clare had left for her. She carefully put her
papers together, and rose from the table. Pauline looked carelessly round
at her. "Ah, are you going, Miss Sampson? Here is the money Miss
Desborough left for you. Just write a receipt and leave it on the table,
please. You understand that you are not wanted any more, don't you?"

"I knew this was to be my last day, thank you," said Rhoda composedly. She
smiled to herself as she wrote her receipt. She half thought of mentioning
her visit to Leyton, but she refrained. There was not a touch of
spitefulness in Rhoda's nature, and she had no wish to humiliate Pauline;
but the humorous side of the situation was thoroughly enjoyed by her.

Rose went on arranging her flowers in silence for a minute or two after
Rhoda went away; then she spoke rather constrainedly.

"Why do you dislike poor Miss Sampson so, Pauline? Do you know that you
were quite unkind to her?"

"Was I? It is necessary to keep that sort of girl at arm's length; she
would become intolerable if you didn't. Thank goodness, we have seen the
last of her. Now, come and sit down here and have a talk. What shall we do
this afternoon, Rose? Only two more days! What do you want to do most?"

"Clare and Lady Desborough are coming back to tea," suggested Rose, with a
laugh. "You are not very hospitable, Pauline. And to-morrow we shall be
busy all day. My time will soon be over, won't it? Do you know, Aunt Lucy
has asked Miss Sampson down to Woodcote again to-morrow, Pauline? I wonder
if she has found out that she is related to Cousin Lydia's husband. I