“The chef you should call him,” she answered. “A very clever man, no doubt, in his way, but takes a lot of keeping in order.”
“Do you have to look after all the servants?” Letty asked. “Doesn’t Miss Thorpe-Hatton ever order anything?”
Mrs. Brown looked pityingly at her guest.
“My dear child,” she said, “I doubt if she could tell you to three or four how many servants there are in the house, and as to ordering anything, I don’t suppose such a thought’s ever entered into her head. Here’s James coming. Perhaps it’s a message for you.”
A footman entered and greeted Letty kindly.
“Good morning, young lady!” he said. “You are to go into the morning-room at once.”
Letty rose with alacrity.
“Is—is she there?” she asked nervously.
“She is,” the man answered, “and if I were you, miss, I wouldn’t do much more than just answer her questions and skedaddle. I haven’t had any conversation with her myself, but mademoiselle says she’s more than a bit off it this morning. Slept badly or something.”
“Don’t frighten the child, James,” Mrs. Brown said reprovingly. “She’s not likely to say much to you, my dear. You hurry along, and come back and have a glass of wine and a biscuit before you go. Show her the way, James.”