A sense of strangeness amid such surroundings had more to do with her constrained silence for the first few minutes than the difficulty with which she recognized in this lady before her the Miss Nunn whom she had known years ago.
'I should never have known you,' said Rhoda, equally surprised.

'For one thing, you look like a fever patient just recovering.

What can be expected?
Your sister gave me a shocking account of how you live.' 'The work is very hard.' 'Preposterous.

Why do you stay at such a place, Monica ?' 'I am getting experience.' 'To be used in the next world ?' They laughed.
'Miss Madden is better to-day, I hope ?' 'Alice?
Not much, I'm sorry to say.' 'Will you tell me something more about the "experience" you are getting?
For instance, what time is given you for meals ?' Rhoda Nunn was not the person to manufacture light gossip when a matter of the gravest interest waited for discussion.

With a face that expressed thoughtful sympathy, she encouraged the girl to speak and confide in her.
'There's twenty minutes for each meal,' Monica explained; 'but at dinner and tea one is very likely to be called into the shop before finishing.