Kate's ordeal

E-text prepared by Al Haines


o you think Katie Haydon is pretty—I don't? and the speaker glanced at her own bright curls as she spoke.
Well, I don't know whether she is exactly pretty, but she always looks nice, and then she is so pleasant and merry, and——
And so vain and stuck-up, put in the first speaker again.
Oh, how can you say so? said another, a plain, quiet-looking girl, who had not spoken before. Mother says she would make such a nice nurse-maid; so quiet and bright as she is, children would be sure to take to her.
Well, I don't know so much about that, Mary, but I know she has asked teacher about a situation—her mother wants her to go into the nursery.
My mother wants me to do the same, said quiet Mary Green, but although I have spoken to teacher I do not expect to hear of anything until Katie is suited, for she asked first, and people are sure to choose her in preference to me. This was said without the least touch of envy or jealousy. Before anyone could reply to it, Katie herself joined the group. Are we not late? she said, breathless with her run to catch them before they reached the school. I have some news for you. What do you think—I am going to London! she panted, fanning herself with her pocket-handkerchief, and casting a triumphant glance at Esther Odell, the girl who had called her proud and stuck-up. Esther was always talking about going to London, and saying disparaging things of going to service—servants were vulgar and despised and she never would be a servant, though her mother and father both said she ought to get a situation. This was how Esther had talked, and it gave Kate Haydon no small pleasure to be able to come and tell her schoolfellow that she was going to the wonderful city first.
Is it settled, Katie? asked Mary. Have you got a situation—are you going to service?
Katie shook her head. I am going to serve in a shop. My cousin has got a nice place at a baker's and confectioner's, and they want somebody to help her, and she has written to me about it.