pposed that the day before she had been
flaunting in the street of a seafaring town. Inquiries were made, as
might be supposed, and Mary replied that she was going to service, and
that her brother was escorting her. They had their breakfast, and,
after resting two hours, they proceeded on their journey.

For some days they travelled more deliberately, until they found
themselves in the village of Manstone, in Dorsetshire, where they, as
usual, put up at an humble public-house. Here Mary told a different
story; she had been disappointed in a situation, and they intended to go
back to their native town.

The landlady of the hotel was prepossessed in favour of such a very
pretty girl as Mary, as well as with the appearance of Joey, who,
although in his sailor's dress, was very superior in carriage and
manners to a boy in his supposed station in life, and she said that if
they would remain there a few days she would try to procure them some
situation. The third day after their arrival, she informed Mary that
she had heard of a situation as under-housemaid at the squire's, about a
mile off, if she would like to take it, and Mary gladly consented. Mrs
Derborough sent up word, and received orders for Mary to make her
appearance, and Mary accordingly went up to the hall, accompanied by
Joey. When she arrived there, and made known her business, she was
desired to wait in the servants' hall until she was sent for. In about
a quarter of a hour she was summoned, and, leaving Joey in the hall, she
went up to see the lady of the house, who inquired whether she had ever
been out at service before, and if she had a good character.

Mary replied that she had never been out at service, and that she had no
character at all (which, by the bye, was very true).

The lady of the house smiled at this apparently _naive_ answer from so
very modest-looking and pretty a girl, and asked who her parents were.

To this question Mary's answer was ready, and she further added that she
had left home in search of a place, and had been disappointed; that her
father and mother were dead, but her brother was down below, and had
escorted her; and that Mrs Chopper was an old friend of her mother's,
and could answer to her character.

The lady was prepossessed by Mary's appearance, by the report of Mrs
Derborough, and by the respectability of her brother travelling with
her, and agreed to try her; but at the same time said she must have Mrs
Choppe