it's terribly
difficult to think of them. I can't ask her to her face if she is
honest and sober--it's absurd," thought Hilary in despair). "And--er--
er--I suppose you are good-tempered, and would not quarrel with the
other servants?"

"Oh yes, miss. Oh no, miss. All my mistresses would say for me, I'm
sure, miss, that there never was a girl with a sweeter temper. I
couldn't hurt a fly, miss, I'm sure I couldn't, I've such a tender
heart."

("I'm sure she has nothing of the kind. I don't like her a bit; but, oh
dear! what can I do? If she goes on agreeing with all I say, I have no
excuse for telling her that she won't suit.")

"And--er--you would have to attend to all the bedrooms, and the
schoolroom, and help the parlour-maid with the waiting. If you have not
been accustomed to a large family, I am afraid you would find it a heavy
place."

"Oh no, miss; not too heavy, miss. I'm never so happy as when I'm
working. I've been brought up to work."

"Yes--but--but--but I'm afraid you would not suit me," cried Hilary,
summoning the courage in despair, and determined, at all costs, to put
an end to the interview. "I won't trouble you to send your character,
for perhaps your mistress might object to give it twice, and I--er--you
see--I don't quite know when my present maid is leaving, and I think--I
am afraid--"

"Oh, it's no trouble at all, miss. I'll bring it with pleasure. I am
sure you would suit me very well. I've always heard of you as such a
good mistress, and I'd like to live with you; I would indeed!"

Hilary sat dumbfounded. She was beginning to feel quite afraid of this
terrible young woman who stood up before her, looking so tall and
formidable, and tossing her head until all the shabby black feathers
shook again on her hat. "I--I won't detain you any longer," she said
icily, as she rose from her seat. "You can leave your address, and if I
change my mind I will let you know." She laid her hand on the bell as
she spoke, but, to her amazement, the young woman suddenly flopped down
on a chair, and folded her arms with a determined gesture.

"I won't stir an inch till I've had my lunch," she said; and from
beneath the skirts of her dress there appeared a pair of stout, hob-
nailed boots; from within her muff, two big, brown hands; and beneath
the veil, a laughing, mischievous face.

"Rex!" screamed Hilary, at the pitch of her voice. "Oh, you horrible,
deceiving, bad, impertinent boy!"