Of course, you are dying to know
why I am here; you wouldn't be a woman if you weren't. Now, I've changed
my mind, and I don't intend to tell you. I will say, though, that my
object in coming here was, first, to find out for myself how servants are
treated in this country. You see, my sympathies are all with the women
who work, and not with women--well, like yourself, for instance.'
'Yes, I think you said that once before. And how do we treat our
servants?'
'So far as my experience goes, very well indeed.'
'It is most gratifying to hear you say this. I was afraid we might not
have met with your approval. And now, where shall I send your month's
money, Miss Brewster?'
Jennie Brewster leaned back in her chair, her eyes all but closed; an
angry light shooting from them reminded Edith of her glance of hatred on
board the steamship. A rich warm colour overspread her fair face, and her
lips closed tightly. There was a moment's silence, and then Jennie's
indignation passed away as quickly as it came. She laughed, with just a
touch of restraint in her tone.
'You can say an insulting thing more calmly and sweetly than anyone I
ever met before; I envy you that. When I say anything low down and mean,
I say it in anger, and my voice has a certain amount of acridity in it. I
can't purr like a cat and scratch at the same time--I wish I could.'
'Is it an insult to offer you the money you have earned?'
'Yes, it is, and you knew it was when you spoke.
Pages:
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249