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been living on my own for some time now, and I’ve had to look after myself.”
    “ I suppose you could supply some kind of reference?” Miss Hanny broke in in a tone rather suggesting that she hoped her applicant couldn’t.
    ‘Of course.” There was relief in Patricia’s voice. Thank goodness the subject of travel hadn’t been pursued. It would have been awkward if she’d had to admit that Torquay was the farthest journey she had ever undertaken. “My father is a clergyman. He married again, that’s why I decided to live on my own. I’ve been in business too; a solicitor’s firm. I can easily get a reference from them.”
    “Your father a clergyman?” Miss Hanny repeated with a satisfaction which she found hard to disguise. Entirely discarding the idea of any other reference, she continued: “That would be quite enough. I have the greatest respect for the Church. Your dear father has no objection to you travelling so far? Dear me, how times have changed!” She heaved a sigh, and Patricia was glad to notice that she did not await an answer, but continued speaking. “I hope your father will drop me a line; just a mere formality, you know, ” she added hastily.
    “That will be quite all right,” Patricia assured her companion, with an inward hope that her parents wouldn’t raise any objection. After all, there shouldn’t be any difficulty. Her father had seen little enough of her during the past few years; it couldn’t make much difference to him if s h e remained in England or journeyed to Timbuktu.
    Miss Hanny rose briskly to her feet. “Of course, I can’t decide anything in a hurry, but I’ll let you know. Should I decide to entrust Maimie to your care, there will naturally be a number of details to discuss.” Her searching eyes sought Patricia’s. “You understand I shall want you to carry out my wishes absolutely.” Without awaiting Patricia’s reaction to her somewhat threatening tone, she added, “ Now I suggest you meet my niece.”
    Patricia watched the older woman as she crossed the room to ring the bell, and, on the arrival of a maid, commanded her niece’s presence.
    Whatever picture Patricia’s mind had conjured up as to the outward appearance of Maimie Hanny, the reality was something more than delightful. As the girl stood in the doorway for a brief second before entering the room, she seemed to Patricia like a perfect water color framed by the door. She scarcely looked her twenty-one years, but more like a child dressed with sophistication far beyond her age. A deep blue frock of some lightly woven material clung closely to her figure, revealing the immature lines of her body and limbs. The dark material accentuated the bright gold of her hair, which clung in soft curls to her head making a halo for the childish face of a Dresden china type of beauty.
    “Auntie ... you wanted me?”
    Patricia felt surprise when the picture spoke, and was immediately charmed by the clear tones of the girl’s voice.
    “ I want to introduce you to Miss Dare. She is travelling to Singapore early in the year. I am considering her application to chaperon you.”
    Maimie Hanny’s face broke into smiles as she advanced toward Patricia with extended hand. “So you’re one of the answers to Auntie’s advertisement?” A frown momentarily clouded the smooth surface of her forehead. “I’ve told Auntie over and over again I can quite well look after myself, but she’s determined to deliver me safely to my future husband. I do hope you won’t find looking after me a bother,” she ended a trifle naively.
    “I’ve told you nothing is decided. I am only considering Miss Dare’s offer,” Miss Hanny broke in sharply.
    Quite regardless of her aunt’s interruption, Maimie Hanny continued addressing herself to Patricia. “ I suppose you’ve been East before? I’ll love living there, won’t I?”
    “I haven’t asked Miss Dare anything about her experience of travelling or her knowledge of the