He lifted his hat and joined her, with a few words of greeting.
‘I have just met your housemaid in great trouble at being summarily dismissed from your service. Has she really been robbing you?’
‘No; I found out that my husband had taken the money, unknown to me, and I shall let Betsy know; but at the same time she is such a saucy, impudent girl, I am quite glad to be rid of her.’
‘You will not take her back, then?’
‘Certainly not, after such language as she used.’
‘Had she not some excuse? It was a serious charge against her. A little heat was only natural.’
‘Then she must abide by the consequences. I will have nothing more to do with her. I can’t bear the girl. I never could.’
‘Will you give her a character?’
‘I shall see about it. I’ll give her one for impudence if she applies.’
‘Don’t you think you’re hard upon her? She says she has relatives partly dependent upon her.’