"I may not go after all," Esther said suddenly. There was a note of nervousness in her voice. She coloured, meeting June's amazed eyes.
"Not go! Well, I never!" She sat down in a heap on the hearthrug staring at Esther. "I never knew such a girl," she complained. "Micky, I appeal to you...."
But Micky was not going to be appealed to; he was stolidly stirring his tea.
"I suppose I can change my mind if I like?" Esther said.
"Oh, it isn't you who have changed your mind," June cut in ironically. "It's something that phantom lover of yours has said in his letter. Own up, now."
"Well, and if it is?" Esther demurred. "I suppose he has a right to say what he likes, hasn't he?" But she was laughing as she spoke; she felt wonderfully happy and light-hearted. "I believe you're jealous," she declared.
"Jealous, indeed!" said June indignantly. Then suddenly she sighed. "Well, perhaps I am; who knows? What does he say? or mayn't we ask?"
Micky had stopped stirring his tea; there was a sort of intentness about his big figure.
Esther looked at him, and suddenly she stiffened.
"Never mind what he says," she answered defensively.
"Oh, all right--sorry if I was inquisitive." She deliberately turned and began talking to Micky; Esther was left to herself, but she did not mind, she had enough now to think about. The longed-for letter had come at last.
She woke from her reverie with a start when Micky rose and said he must be going.
"And don't you be so long before you come and see me again," June said in her downright way. "And don't go without that sample, Micky--it will go in your pocket quite easily." She darted off to her room to fetch it, and Micky moved a step nearer to Esther.
"That being so, of course, it is useless for me to ask if you have changed your mind yet?" he said again.
"Are you trying to insult me?" she asked under her breath.
"I am, if it's an insult to ask you to marry me."
There was no time for more. June came back then with her hands full of samples, which she proceeded to stuff into Micky's pocket.
"Supposing I get run over!" he said resignedly. "People will think I've been robbing a beauty shop."
"It will be a fine advertisement for me, anyway," June declared. "Can't you see all the halfpenny papers coming out with great headlines? Tragic Death of a Young Millionaire! Pockets Stuffed with June Mason's Skin Food!" She laughed merrily. "That would be worth something, eh, Micky?"