Already the sisters were doing a new piece of compilation for Messrs Jolly and Monk; it was more exacting than their initial task for the book market, and would take a much longer time.
A couple of hours went by, and Marian had just spoken of taking her leave, when a man's step was heard rapidly ascending the nearest flight of stairs.
'Here's Jasper,' remarked Dora, and in a moment there sounded a short, sharp summons at the door.
Jasper it was; he came in with radiant face, his eyes blinking before the lamplight.
'Well, girls! Ha! how do you do, Miss Yule?
I had just the vaguest sort of expectation that you might be here.

It seemed a likely night; I don't know why.

I say, Dora, we really must get two or three decent easy-chairs for your room.

I've seen some outside a second-hand furniture shop in Hampstead Road, about six shillings apiece.

There's no sitting on chairs such as these.' That on which he tried to dispose himself, when he had flung aside his trappings, creaked and shivered ominously.
'You hear?
I shall come plump on to the floor, if I don't mind.