And yet it was very clear that something troubled her a little.
Sir Franklin was so puzzled by it that he went out to consult Pembroke. Pembroke explained the matter in a moment.
“I ought to have said,” Sir Franklin remarked at once on returning, “that the shopkeeper, although a capable business woman, may play at being a little girl, too, if she likes, and will find a doll and a work-basket for herself, and even sweets too, just like the others.”
Matilda’s face at once became nothing but smiles.
“You will want a foreman,” Sir Franklin then said.
“Yes,” said Matilda, who would have said yes to anything by this time.
“Well, who will you have?”
“I don’t think Tommy would do,” said Matilda. “He’s that thoughtless. And Willy’s too small.”
“How about Frederick?” said Sir Franklin, ringing the bell twice.
Matilda sat still and waited, wondering who Frederick was.