[CHAPTER III.]
WILD BEASTS.
PLUNKETT was, as he had foretold, late in reaching home that night. He had a goodly amount of work to get through, and he had undertaken to finish, if possible, before retiring.
In the course of the evening, Mrs. Heavitree appeared by his side, as he worked. Plunkett had quite expected her to do this, after his morning talk about Narcissus. It was not her fashion to leave matters long unsettled.
"You went home to dinner, after all, Plunkett," she said.
"Yes, ma'am. It's all right about my girl."
"She will come to me next week? Is your wife willing?"
"I didn't ask her, ma'am. I said Narcissus was to go."
Mrs. Heavitree smiled. She had an alert practical manner, and a particularly kind smile. "Then I am to consider the matter settled. Another girl wishes to come, but she must wait for the next vacancy. Narcissus has the first choice, for her mother's sake. By-the-by, what is her second name?"