They lunched at a restaurant which she had never even heard of, though June seemed quite at home. There were several people at other tables, whom June knew, and Esther felt very out of it all, and unhappy.
It was a good thing she had refused to marry Micky, she thought with a sort of anger. She knew none of his friends and nothing of the life to which he had always been accustomed. She did not realise that it was the knowledge of her shabby coat that was affecting her spirits more keenly than anything.
June's clothes were not new, but they had an unmistakable "cut" about them, and Rochester was exceedingly well dressed.
He talked to June a great deal. Once or twice he tried to draw Esther into the conversation, but, seeing that she wished to be let alone, he soon gave up the attempt.
He was certainly a most friendly person--one would have thought that he and June had known one another for years. Before lunch was ended he had invited himself to tea for the following afternoon.
"That's Yankee push if you like!" June said when he had gone. "Give me a Yankee every time to make things go!" She looked at Esther excitedly. "Do you know," she said, "I've a great mind to try and persuade that man to come into partnership with me."
"I should say he'd suggest it himself if you give him another day or two," she said drily. She wandered listlessly round the room.
"I shall have to leave here at the end of the week," she said suddenly. "It's impossible to go on living here, and letting you pay my rent and my food bill. I owe you more than I can ever repay already."
"If you talk like that I'll--I'll kill you!" said June in a rage. "You don't understand what friendship means. Micky had tried to teach you, and so have I, and all you do is to throw it back in our faces.... O Esther, don't!..."
Esther had turned away and covered her face with her hands.
"I know you think I'm ungrateful and horrid," she said brokenly. "But how would you like to be in my position? I haven't a shilling of my own in the world--the things I've been wearing since I came here are paid for by ... by ... oh, you know! I hate to look at that fur coat and my new frock. You talk to me about being proud and obstinate; well, I can't help it, you must go on thinking it, that's all; I'd rather die than take anything more from any one. I kept myself before, and I will again...."