“Don’t doubt anybody’s honesty,” was the reply. “Some folks don’t have any to doubt. But it’s the rule of the house. Six dollars a dozen is the deposit price for that pattern.”
“But eighteen dollars is more than you’re going to pay me for the work,” said Patty.
“Yes,” said the woman, “but can’t you understand? This is a deposit to protect ourselves if you never return, or if you spoil the work. If you bring it back in satisfactory condition, at the appointed time, we return your deposit, and pay you the price agreed upon for the work.”
“Oh, I see,” said Patty, taking out her purse. “And it does seem fair. But isn’t it hard for poor girls to put up that deposit?”
“Yes, it is.” The woman’s face softened a little. “But they get it back,—if they do the work right.”
“And suppose I bring it back unfinished, or only part done?”
“If what you do is done right, you’ll get paid. And if the pieces you don’t do are unsoiled and in good condition, we redeem them. But if you care for steady work here, you’d better not take more’n you can accomplish.”
“Thank you,” said Patty, slowly. “I’ll keep the three dozen. Good-morning.”
“Good-day,” said the woman, curtly, and turned away with a tired sigh.
Patty went out to the street, and found Miller looking exceedingly anxious about the prolonged absence of his young mistress.