"I am so sorry about Charlotte," she said; "she does know how to dress hair!"
Mr. Gage cast an admiring glance upon Harriet's shining tresses, and added:
"I am sorry, too, to lose Thompson. He understands his business very well."
"It is very provoking. Such things are the last extent of folly," said Harriet.
"In that class, certainly;" said Mr. Gage.
"Well, but, George, what is to be done?" asked Harriet, suddenly.
Now, if she ever desired Mr. Gage to exert himself to the utmost in her service, she had only to call him George. The effect was cabalistic.
"I must get rid of Thompson, you see," he said, in a deprecating manner. "The man never could wander about with a wife and children at his heels."
"It is very odd how my maids always do marry," said Harriet. "One would think Aunt Singleton kept them close enough. You remember, Anne?"
Yes—he remembered Anne, perfectly; and it was very probable that Anne remembered him, for he had often given her a guinea to convey flowers and notes to her young lady's dressing-table, in the days of their early courtship.