MISS MATFIELD WONDERS 259

"Run down and get me a taxi, sharp as you can. Good-
bye, everybody."

When they had all said good-bye, too, and he had gone
and they had heard the outer door slam behind him, in
the sudden quiet that followed, the whole office had
appeared to shrink and darken a little. Miss Matfield,
aware of this, resented it, and, compressing her lips,
threw herself into what work she had on hand with a
sort of grey determination, never looking up and only
speaking when compelled to answer a question. By
lunch-time she felt so discontented that, instead of
spending the usual ninepence or so at the little teashop
not far away, she went farther afield, to a superior place
just off Cannon Street, and had cutlet and peas, apple-
tart and cream, and a cup of coffee, paying her half-
crown manfully. After that she was more cheerful and
more honest. She had been depressed because though
all kinds of things seemed to be happening to other
people, nothing was happening to her. It was hard luck
losing Evelyn Ansdell. It was hard luck losing Mr.
Golspie, if only for a week or two. She could not say
yet whether she really liked the man, but at least he
made Angel Pavement more amusing. It would be
terribly flat now without him. Everything, it seemed,
was sinking into dullness. Well, she must make an effort
and think of something amusing to do. When she re-
turned to the office, quarter of an hour late, as usual,
she was cheerful and comparatively friendly with every-
body.

Perhaps the little gods who look after these minor
affairs decided that she must be encouraged, for at once
they found something amusing for her to do. Shortly
after three, Mr. Smeeth took a telephone message and