"Come here, you little monkey," she said.
It wasn't so pleasant to be called a monkey as a wild rose, but Miss Barry's smile was different from any her "help" had ever yet received from her. Perhaps she liked monkeys.
Blanche Aurora came nearer, aware every moment of the fine materials touching her skin.
"Well, well, so my niece hasn't got by the doll-dressing stage," said her mistress.
The lenient tone restored confidence and unloosed an eager tongue.
"Oh, Miss Barry, I ain't a doll. I'll work just as hard. I'll work harder. I've got aprons to cover me all up and I won't break a dish nor slam the silver. The aprons is the most beautiful you ever see and these stockings they feel just like silk."
The reference to the stockings flowed forth because Miss Barry was stooping and running her hand down the slim leg.
The watchers above were edified to see her lift up the pink skirt and examine the underwear.
"You're good clear to the bone," declared Miss Belinda at last, approvingly. "Pretty sensible things, considering that Linda bought them."
The speaker rose again to her full stature and looked curiously at her maid's head.