“I had a telegram from my niece in Oxford recommending you. How did she know of you?”
“I worked at Lady Marg'ret 'All, ma'am, where the young lady is studyin'.”
“Why did you leave your place there?”
“If you please, ma'am, my dishes was so tasty that it made the young ladies discontented when they got 'ome. Their parents complained that it gave 'em too 'igh ideas about wittles. The principal said I was pamperin' 'em too much, an' offered to release me.”
Mary, who was listening, gave a loud snort of laughter, which she tried to conceal by rattling some plates.
“Well, Eliza,” said Mrs. Kent, “that will do. You must get on with the work as best you can. Judging by the coffee this morning, I don't think your cooking will have the same effect on us that it did on the students at Lady Margaret Hall. We were expecting a guest for lunch but I will have to put him off until supper. I have written out the menu for the day. Mary will give you any help she can.”
“If you please, ma'am?” said Eliza.
“Yes?”
“Cook gave me a message for Miss Kathleen, ma'am, which she asked me to deliver in person.”
“A message for Miss Kathleen?”