“’Twouldn’t have been no use, ma’am,” she answered decidedly. “Three weeks running my evening out had been pouring with rain, but she took me up sharp because she saw me speaking to him for a minute or two at the area gate one morning.”
“Well, naturally mistresses are particular concerning who comes about their houses,” Lucy answered staunchly. “Your mistress said she had no fault to find with you. She told me you had dismissed yourself. Have you known the young man long?”
“More than a year, ma’am. He’s a carpenter working in Messrs. Muggeridge’s shop”—she named a large place of business about midway between her former situation and Mrs. Challoner’s house.
“Well, Jane, I decide to engage you, and after a week or two, if all goes rightly, he may come to see you once a week. Carpenters get away from their work rather early, so all that I shall ask is that he never stays later than nine o’clock, when you bring up my supper tray. And I am sure you will take care I shall never regret giving you this permission.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” said Jane. “Please, ma’am, you never shall.” She seemed to take her new form of bliss very sedately.
Then a sudden thought struck Lucy. She remembered the speed of Pollie’s wooing.
“You are not thinking of getting married very soon, I suppose?”
“Oh, dear, no, ma’am,” answered Jane. “His wage will have to rise a bit. He’s got to do something for his mother.”
“You can understand that I shouldn’t like you to come into my service merely to go out of it again,” observed Lucy. But her silent reflection was that household regulations which prevent a comfortable courtship must surely do much to promote regardless, rash, improvident marriage.
“No, ma’am, I’ve no such thought,” said Jane soberly.
“Then can you enter on your duties to-morrow?” asked Mrs. Challoner rather anxiously, for to-morrow was the last day of the old year, and New Year’s Day falling on Sunday, St. George’s Institute would open on Monday, though duties there might not be very stringent for a day or two later.
“Oh, yes, ma’am,” answered Jane, with more vivacity than she had shown over her love affairs. “For my time is up to-morrow morning, and it costs a girl a good deal if she has to pay for board and lodging between her places.”