“I can but try. I must try, you know.”
“Well, I hope that widow will be willing to give a high salary for all that she wants.”
“The advertisement says that a liberal salary will be given; but also adds that the highest testimonials of character and competency will be required.”
“Well, my dear, you can furnish them, anyhow.”
“I don’t know. I have my college testimonials, or could get them; but for the rest—”
“Well, you have Mrs. Ponsonby.”
“But she knows so little of me,” sighed Lilith, as she reflected how that good, credulous woman had come to her side in the spirit of compassion and had taken her respectability quite for granted.
“Well, honey, don’t sigh, that’s a dearie; because if you don’t get the place it makes no odds. I dare say that widow is some poor, infirm old lady going to travel for her health, who would be no end of a trial to you. And you know if you never get nothing to do, you can always live long o’ me and be comfortable always. ’Deed I feel so drawn to you, dearie, that I would like to adopt you if you would let me. It would make no odds, leastways not much at the end of the year. And I meant to adopt two more as soon as ever John and Mary are provided for. And I reckon I had better adopt one like you than another child. I mightn’t live to see the child grow up, for I am getting old. Will you think of what I tell you, dearie?”
“Think of it? I shall never forget it so long as I live, dear Aunt Sophie,” warmly responded Lilith.
“Here is the post,” said Mrs. Downie, pausing at the pillar box, into which Lilith dropped her letter.