"Twenty-five shillings," answered Mrs. Scott, promptly. She did not attempt to persuade the girls to have dresses of that particular material, but showed them some cheaper, which she assured them would also be durable, and serve them for afternoon dresses when they had done with them for best. Fanny looked on silently, leaving Miriam and her cousin to discuss the merits of the various stuffs; but although she took no part, she was thinking and making up her mind about whether she should say she would have the brown dress, and give notice the next day that she would leave, unless her mistress would give her nine pounds a year.
When she was being served with the cake, the previous evening, she heard a lady ask if they knew of a servant who could do housework, and that she gave ten pounds a year. Ten pounds seemed an immense sum to Fanny just now, and she thought if she could only get that, she need not be so worried about the watch and other things, for with this she would have plenty of money for all she needed.
So, by the time Miriam had finished her discussion, Fanny had made up her mind to have that ten pounds a year if it was possible; and so, when Miriam turned to her, she said—
"I will have the brown dress, if you do, and I will pay five shillings a month, as I have not got much put away for it."
Mrs. Scott looked at her in some surprise. "You have thought it all out, I suppose?" she said.
"Yes; I have counted it all over, and I don't think I could do better than have the brown frock," said Fanny, decidedly.
"I am glad," said Miriam. "Of course, I can have one too; so we shall have frocks alike after all. Now, when can we have them, Lizzie?" she asked.
"Well, if you come in one day this week to be measured, I dare say I can let you have them in a fortnight," said Mrs. Scott; and then she wished the girls good night, and they went away.
It struck seven as they went up the street. "I am going to St. Peter's to-night," said Miriam.
"I want to go to St. Mary's; that is close by; and we are late now," said Fanny. Her father was to meet her at the corner of St. Mary's Road, close to the church, and Fanny hoped he had waited for her. She was not sorry that Miriam was determined to go in the other direction, and she crossed the road and looked eagerly round, feeling sure her father was waiting for her somewhere near.