"A month."
Angelica was quiet for a moment. It was perfectly apparent to her that cheapness was her only asset; that if she didn’t come cheap and very cheap, she wouldn’t be considered. She reflected, and grew more and more convinced that here was a stepping-stone.
"All right," she said. "That’s not much pay, but I’ll take it."
"And what about references?" asked Mrs. Russell.
This was an attempt to regain a lost advantage. If she was getting Angelica cheap, she must make her feel and see that she was cheap.
"I haven’t any."
"Oh, but you must have SOME!" said Mrs. Russell.
She was determined that Angelica should give her references, even if they were obviously false ones. She knew she would be questioned in regard to this, and she preferred to say that she had been deceived. That would absolve her from blame. It would even add to her merit, showing her to be trusting and kindly.
"The rector of your church, perhaps?" she suggested.
"Haven’t any church."