A boy in buttons gasped out, “Oh, if you please, will you ast the doctor to come round directly; there's a haccident.”
“La, bless me!” said Jane, and never budged.
“Yes, miss. It's our missus's little girl fallen right off an i-chair, and cut her head dreadful, and smothered in blood.”
“La, to be sure!” And she waited steadily for more.
“Ay, and missus she fainted right off; and I've been to the regler doctor, which he's out; and Sarah, the housemaid, said I had better come here; you was only just set up, she said; you wouldn't have so much to do, says she.”
“That is all SHE knows,” said Jane. “Why, our master—they pulls him in pieces which is to have him fust.”
“What an awful liar! Oh, you good girl!” whispered Dr. Staines and Rosa in one breath.
“Ah, well,” said Buttons, “any way, Sarah says she knows you are clever, 'cos her little girl as lives with her mother, and calls Sarah aunt, has bin to your 'spensary with ringworm, and you cured her right off.”
“Ay, and a good many more,” said Jane, loftily. She was a housemaid of imagination; and while Staines was putting some lint and an instrument case into his pocket, she proceeded to relate a number of miraculous cures. Dr. Staines interrupted them by suddenly emerging, and inviting Buttons to take him to the house.
Mrs. Staines was so pleased with Jane for cracking up the doctor, that she gave her five shillings; and, after that, used to talk to her a great deal more than to the cook, which judicious conduct presently set all three by the ears.