Perkin.
But, although her tone was one of rebuke, she said the
words lightly, tossed the last of them off, indeed, almost
playfully, as if the lesson was meant for one who could hardly
have been expected to know better. "And what place did you
apply for in the house?" she went on to ask.
"I can hardly say, ma'am," answered Mary, avoiding both
inflection and emphasis, and by her compliance satisfying Mrs.
Perkin that she had been right in requiring the _kotou_. "It
is not usual for young persons to be engaged without knowing for
what purpose."
"I suppose not, ma'am."
"What wages were you to have?" next inquired Mrs. Perkin,
gradually assuming a more decided drawl as she became more
assured of her position with the stranger. She would gladly get
some light on the affair. "You need not object to mentioning
them," she went on, for she imagined Mary hesitated, whereas she
was only a little troubled to keep from laughing; "I always pay
the wages myself."
"There was nothing said about wages, ma'am," answered Mary.
"Indeed! Neither work nor wages specified? Excuse me if I say it
seems rather peculiar.--We must be content to wait a little,
then--until we learn what Mrs. Redmain expected of you, _and
whether or not you are capable of it_. We can go no further
now."
"Certainly not, ma'am," assented Mary.
"Can you use your needle?"
"Yes, ma'am.
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