Maggie sighed. Really, her daughters were difficult! Sheila, who could think of nothing but men, and Janet, who never thought about them at all. She had been just the same about Mr. Trent. It was not until the war started that she had even known that he was young. You could, as she had told herself, have knocked her down with a feather when Janet had said he had joined up. “Joined up!” she had gasped. “But surely they aren’t taking old men.”

“Old men!” Janet had looked amused. “I don’t think he’s thirty.”

“Janet Brain,” Maggie had said, “do you mean to tell me you’ve been working in that office all these years and you never told me Mr. Trent was young?”

“Why should I?” Janet had asked, puzzled. “I didn’t know you’d be interested!” Really, an exasperating daughter, and here she was at it again. “I didn’t think of him except as Iris’ father!” Maggie could have shaken her. Of course she did not want her thinking of all men in a silly way, but it really was time she began to notice they existed.

Sheila also questioned Janet; she used her own oblique method. “Did you get muddy going up to the farm? Awful, isn’t it, on a wet day?”

“I don’t mind a little mud. How about you getting a little on you walking to the bus to go to the Labour Exchange?”

“There’s not all that rush. I suppose I can wait for a fine day. It’s the duty of everybody to keep well in wartime. I heard that on the wireless. It won’t be any good my going to the Labour Exchange if I get a chill from it, and have to stop in bed for weeks.”

“I shouldn’t think it’s much of a risk.”

“I suppose, as you’re in such a rush about me getting a job, you’ve decided to teach that awful Iris.”

“I don’t think she’s awful, she seems a nice kid. As a matter of fact, I have.”

Sheila wandered round the room fiddling with the ornaments.

“Well, I hope Mr. Sheldon’s satisfied now.” As Janet did not answer she shot her an anxious look over her shoulder. “Is he?”

“At having me instead of you? I think so. I gather, as a family, we were expected to produce a governess, and we have.”

“Did he say that?” Sheila gave Janet another fleeting, anxious look. “What else did he say?”

Janet was in no mood to have her hurt probed.

“I don’t remember. Why are you so interested? I’ve taken on the job and that’s all that can concern you, isn’t it?”

Sheila gave one of her wriggles.