But, as luck would have it, Jonah was suddenly called into the shop, and the coast was clear.

It never took Ada long to dress; her clothes always looked as if they had been thrown on with a pitchfork, and she slipped down the outside stairs into the lane at the back.

It was the first time she had gone out without telling Jonah where she was going and when she would be back.

And afterwards she could never understand why she crept out in this furtive manner.

Mrs Herring was waiting, dressed in dingy black, a striking contrast to Ada's flaring colours.