Wynyard made no reply, but kept his gaze fixed steadily on a crack in the floor, and the old woman continued—
“Of course Lady Kesters knows you personally?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I hope I shall find you satisfactory and experienced.”
“I hope so, ma’am.”
“And not above your place—ahem!”—clearing her throat—“I have recently purchased a most beautiful motor, and I engaged you to drive it, and take great care of it; it is lined with real morocco leather, and cost, second-hand, five hundred pounds.” As she paused for a moment to see if he was properly impressed, he repeated his parrot’s cry of—
“Yes, ma’am.”
“My sister and I propose to use it for paying calls at a distance. You must drive very slowly and carefully, and keep the car in perfect order, and spotlessly clean.”
“I’ll do my best, ma’am,” he assented.
“Your wages will be, from to-day, two guineas a week. You will live in the village. We have arranged for you to board with a most respectable woman, and trust you will give her as little trouble as possible, and we shall expect to see you in church at least once on Sunday. You may join the Young Men’s Christian Association, and the choir—and——”