Mrs. Creek shook her head.
"If you goes to ladies' service you must 'ave an outfit," she remarked importantly.
"Like as if you were goin' to marry!" said Peggy, with another big sigh.
"But," said Mrs. Creek, "'tisn't many got such a chance as I had. I was country-born, ye see, an' my father were under-gardener at the Hall."
Peggy's face became gloomy.
"Tis no use hopin', is it? I 'ave saved up some pence, 'm. Just what I've earned proper, but see—'ow many before I could get a gown? Why, hundreds, wouldn't it be?"
She produced out of the bosom of her shabby bodice a dirty-looking piece of rag; unknotting it carefully, she counted out sevenpence halfpenny.
Mrs. Creek nodded and smiled.
"That's a beginnin', dearie. Maybe by the time yer aunt will be wantin' yer no longer, you'll have a goodish sum."
Peggy brightened up.