I shall have rather a hard task arranging about the checks, because I fear it will involve a little deceit and I do not like deceit." Annie, as she spoke, looked straight at Margaret and there was something terrible in that clear look of unsoiled truth.

Margaret put out a detaining hand.
"Sit down for a minute, please," she said cringingly.

"I want to explain ?" "There is nothing whatever to explain," replied Annie.

"I heard." "Can you ever forgive me ?" "I do not think," said Annie, "that this is an ordinary offence about which to talk of forgiveness.

I do pity you, Margaret, for I realise how dreadfully you must have wanted what did not belong to you." Margaret winced.