The confused rumble of carts in Regent Street, the familiar sounds from the shop below, the slamming of a door, a voice raised in inquiry, the monotonous, kindly echoes of life, struck on the raw edges of her nerves, exasperating her to madness.
And through it all her ears sought for two sounds with agonizing acuteness--the firm, rapid step of Jonah mounting the stairs winding from the shop, or the nonchalant, laggard footfall of Ray ascending from the stairs at the rear.

Would Cassidy send the bottle and trust her for the other eighteen pence?
Would Jonah hurry back to meet Miss Grimes?
Presently her ear distinguished the light, uncertain step of Ray.

Every nerve in her body leapt for joy when she saw the bottle.
She looked at the clock, it was nearly four.

She had at least an hour clear, for Jonah would be in no hurry now that he had missed the music-lesson.

She snatched the bag from the astonished child.
"Go an' see if yer father's in the shop.