In the drawing-room sat old Miss Lillicrap, in a violet silk dress and a lace cap with ribbons, nodding above a newspaper.
A large, white-haired, but somehow youthful-looking female figure, unknown to Lydia, bent over the writing-table.
In the middle of the room stood Lydia’s visitor, a small, plain girl, with a pale face and untidy fair hair, who put out her hand in a business-like way.
“I’m from Elena’s,” she said abruptly. “My name is Graham. Old Madam said I was to come and see how you were getting on, and if you’ll be ready to start to-morrow.”
“Oh, yes,” said Lydia. “Won’t you sit down?”
Miss Graham selected a chair in the middle of the room, as far as possible removed from the other two inmates.
Lydia recognized and approved the intention, but was acutely conscious that the pen of the lady at the writing-table had ceased its scratching, and that the newspaper of Miss Lillicrap was no longer rustling.
In the motionless silence of the large room Miss Graham gave Lydia information concerning the establishment of Madame Elena.
“You’ve seen old Madam, I know. She always interviews us girls herself before engaging us. That’s one of the things that’s done quite different to other places. But it’s your first experience, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ve only just left school.”