ing low, and the
shadows grew longer and the air sweeter. She walked on quietly,
thinking herself safe from pursuit. How surprised every one would be
when they discovered that she had started in life by herself! Perhaps
they would see that she was not so stupid and awkward as they thought.

"But I've got no place yet," said the girl to herself. "I must find
one pretty sharp or I shall have nowhere to sleep to-night. Here's
two houses; either on 'em would do for me."

Two small brick houses stood by the roadside. They had green doors,
and shutters outside the windows, and little gardens in front.

"There ain't not a bit of use in being shy," said Juliet to herself,
her courage all the while sinking lower and lower. "I'm as bold as
brass, I always was. Here goes!"

She walked up to the door of the first cottage and rapped on it with
her knuckles.

It was opened by a tall, thin, elderly woman in a high black bonnet.
"What do you want?" she said.

"Please, missus, I want a place; general servant, like."

The woman looked at her from the crown of her hat to the heels of her
boots. "Oh, do you? Where have you been living?"

"Over there," said Juliet.

"Over where?"

"Littlebourne way."

The woman seemed to be thinking deeply.

"Got a first-rate character, I suppose?"

"Oh, well," said Juliet hastily, "I've not been in a regular
situation, as the saying is, but helping a friend, you know."

"It's a pity you've left her," said the woman. "What wages were you
getting?"

Juliet said, lamely enough, "I didn't have no regular wages. They kep'
me, and gave me these," showing the aprons.

"Ah! Did they send you away?"

"No, missus; I just took French leave and come away when it suited me.
I want to better myself."

"I see. Well, come in. I'll try you. My name is _Bosher_. Do you
hear--_Mrs. Bosher_?"

While Juliet stood in the narrow passage Mrs. Bosher locked and bolted
the door, and at every sound the poor, foolish girl grew more and more
unhappy, and more cut off from all hope and all happiness. Mrs.
Bosher's bonnet and Mrs. Bosher's name were enough to terrify any
young person with a bad conscience.

"Yes," said Juliet's new mistress, "my name is Bosher"--here the
bonnet nodded,--"and now you are my servant, and while you are in my
service you will do precisely everything that I tell you. I have a
brother who has a gun; sometimes he shoots rooks, sometimes he
shoots--other things. He lives next door. I