"Stop a minute; there are those other things you've had off the plates."
"Oh, it's all right, I'll settle with Marion for them. Good afternoon." And the next minute he was gone, leaving Kate in a state of bewildered astonishment not easily described. She knew that Marion often helped herself to stamps, envelopes, and paper out of her mistress's desk, but she could not think that she would rob her to such an extent as William's words would imply, for it was robbery, nothing less, to give away their employer's property for favours bestowed on themselves. This, then, was how such favours were to be made up to them.
Kate longed for, and yet dreaded, her cousin's return, that she might talk to her about this, yet wondering at the same time how she should begin, how she should tell her what she thought of it. But, as it often happens, Marion herself helped her out of the difficulty, for as she came into the shop she said, in a hurried whisper, "Anyone been in, Kate?"
Kate nodded. "Go and get your things off, and I will tell you all about it," she said.
"Oh, I can guess your news, I think; he can get us some orders for the theatre? Isn't that it?"
"Yes, that and something else," said Kate rather gravely.
"Oh, never mind the 'something else,' that's enough. Kate, it will be splendid; he always gets orders for the best seats in the first-rate theatres. You must go."
"I don't know whether I shall, I must talk to you about things first. How are these orders to be paid for?"
"Paid for? That's nothing to do with you or me either, Kate. Orders are always presents."
"Yes, but we are expected to make it up, and to rob Mrs. Maple to do it."