'Ah well, Susy, just shut the door for a moment.'
The girl did so, but evidently with some reluctance.
'Well, Susy,' said William jauntily, 'I suppose that I'm not the first
one who has told you that you are very pretty.'
'Oh, sir!' said Susy, blushing and looking down on the carpet.
'Yes, Susy, and you take such good care of this room that I want to thank
you for it,' continued William.
Here he fumbled in his pocket for a moment, and drew out half a
sovereign.
'Here, my girl, is something for your trouble. Keep this for yourself.'
'Oh, I couldn't think of taking money, sir,' said the girl, drawing back.
'I couldn't indeed, sir!'
'Nonsense!' said William; 'isn't it enough?'
'Oh, it's more than enough. Miss Longworth pays me well for what I do,
sir, and it's only my duty to keep things tidy.'
'Yes, Susy, that is very true; but very few of us do our duty, you know,
in this world.'
'But we ought to, sir,' said the girl, in a tone of quiet reproof that
made the young man smile.
'Perhaps,' said he; 'but then, you see, we are not all pretty and good,
like you. I'm sorry you won't take the money. I hope you are not offended
at me for offering it;' and William adjusted his eye-glass, looking his
sweetest at the young person standing before him.
'Oh no, sir,' she said, 'I'm not at all offended, and I thank you very
much, very much indeed, sir, and I would like to ask you a question, if
you wouldn't think me too bold.
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