Part 9 (2/2)
”Oh, yes, miss. I'm very handy about a house, miss. I'm sure I could give you satisfaction, miss.”
(”I don't like her voice. She has not nearly such nice manners as Mary,” sighed Hilary to herself. ”Oh dear me!”)
”And--er--can you--er--get up in the morning without being called?”
”Oh yes, miss; I'm fond of early rising. It's never any trouble to me to get up.”
”And--er--we are rather a large family, and I am very particular. Are you quite strong and able to work?”
”Oh yes, miss; quite strong, miss. Never had a day's illness in my life.”
”And--er--(there must be other questions to ask, but 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 m.u.f.f, 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!”
”Rex!” echoed Lettice in chorus. ”Oh, oh! how lovely I how delicious!
However did you do it? Norah!--Norah! Norah! Oh, do come here!”
In rushed Norah, breathless with curiosity, to know what had happened, and the next ten minutes was pa.s.sed in a clamour of questionings. When had he thought of it? How had he thought of it? Where had he found the clothes? How had he dressed? etcetera, etcetera.
Rex paraded the room with mincing steps, and simpered at his own reflection in the looking-gla.s.s.
”Old things of the mater's and Edna's. Brought 'em over in the cart, and dressed in the summer-house. What a nice girl I should have made, to be sure! Seems quite a waste, doesn't it? I say, though, I am nearly suffocating with heat. Can't I go and take them off somewhere?”
He was crossing the hall on the way to the cloak-room, when who should come tripping downstairs but Mary herself, trim and neat as ever, but casting a glance the reverse of approving at the strange young woman who had come to supplant herself.
”Good morning, Mary. I've come to apply for the place,” said Rex gravely; then suddenly picking up his skirts, displayed his trousered legs underneath, and executed a wild schottische round the hall.
Mary gave a shriek, put her hand to her heart, and sank down on the stairs, brushes and all, in a breathless heap. ”Oh, Mr Rex, oh! I never in all my life! Oh, what a turn you gave me! Oh! oh! oh!” And she gasped and panted till Norah became alarmed, and went up to pat her on the shoulder.
”Don't, Mary, don't! Oh, Mary, I wish it was all fun. I wish you weren't going.”
”So do I, Miss Norah. I don't want to leave you, but Miss Hilary--”
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