as much work as I could do. She is going to write to me on Monday. I am
quite sure she meant it. And I don't want to try for work in an office if
I can help it. I should feel in prison."

Miss Merivale had spoken very vaguely of the work she was going to give
Rhoda. She had, in truth, made up her mind that Rhoda must come to
Woodcote. She was only waiting till Rose came home to arrange it. However
much she surprised Rose and Tom, however difficult it would be to explain
why she wanted Rhoda, Rhoda must come to her. She could not leave Lydia's
girl alone in London. And Tom's surprise, at least, would have no element
of annoyance in it. It was quite plain already that Rhoda's company was
delightful to him.

It had been arranged that Tom should go and fetch his sister on Friday,
but by the first post on Friday morning Miss Merivale got a letter from
Rose, saying that Pauline would return with her that afternoon, and that
there was no need for Tom to come to London. It was at Pauline's
instigation Rose had written the letter. Those few charmed days in the
little flat had made Rose more passionately desirous than ever to get away
from Woodcote, and Pauline had suggested that she should go home with Rose
and beg her aunt to allow her to pay a longer visit a little later in the
year.

"May is the best month of the year in London, Rose. You shall spend May
with me. The flat will have to be given up then, if I cannot get anyone to
share it with me. Lady Desborough only took it till the end of April. But
we will have a lovely May together. I am sure your aunt will not refuse to
let you come."

"I couldn't possibly stay away for a month," Rose said firmly, but with