Sometimes fate acts swiftly and without a hitch. On Thursday Alvina received her notice that she was to appear before the Board on the following Monday. And yet she could not bring herself to speak of it to Madame till the Saturday evening. When they were all at supper, she said:
“Madame, I applied for a post of maternity nurse, to the Borough of Lancaster.”
Madame raised her eyebrows. Ciccio had said nothing.
“Oh really! You never told me.”
“I thought it would be no use if it all came to nothing. They want me to go and see them on Monday, and then they will decide—”
“Really! Do they! On Monday? And then if you get this work you will stay here? Yes?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Of course! Of course! Yes! H’m! And if not?”
The two women looked at each other.
“What?” said Alvina.