Miss Nippett and Mavis, also, became friends; the latter was moved
by the touching faith which the shrivelled-up little accompanist had
in the academy, its future, and, above all, its proprietor. If the
rivalry between "Poulter's" and "Gellybrand's" could have been
decided by an appeal to force, Miss Nippett would have been found in
the van of "Poulter's" adherents, firmly imbued with the
righteousness of her cause. She lived in Blomfield Road, Shepherd's
Bush, a depressing, blind little street, at the end of which was a
hoarding; this latter shut off a view of a seemingly boundless
brickfield. Miss Nippett rented a top back room at number 19, where,
on one Sunday afternoon, Mavis, being previously invited, went to
tea. The little room was neat and clean; tea, a substantial meal,
was served on the big black box which stood at the foot of Miss
Nippett's bed. After tea, Miss Nippett showed, with much pride, her
little treasures, which were chiefly pitiful odds and ends picked up
upon infrequent excursions to Isle of Thanet watering-places. Her
devotion to these brought a lump to Mavis's throat. After the girl
had inspected and admired these household gods, she was taken to the
window, in order to see the view, now lit by a brilliant full moon.
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