"Yes, my lady," replied the young maypole, grinning from ear to ear, and shewing thereby a very fine set of teeth.
"Well, then, Betty Jacks, I think we shall suit each other very well. But I shan't call you Betty though, nor Jacks either ... mind that. You won't care about it, I suppose, if I find out some pretty, genteel-sounding name for you, will you?"
"No, my lady!" responded the delighted girl.
"Very well; ... and I will give you three pounds a year wages, and good clothes enough to make you look a deal better than ever you did before. What do you say to it?"
"I'll be glad to come, and thankye, too, my lady, if father will let me."
"Who is her father, Mrs. Sims?"
"Joe Jacks the carpenter, ma'am."
"I don't suppose he is likely to make much objection to her getting such a place as mine, is he?"
"That is what I can't pretend to say, ma'am," replied the schoolmistress very gravely.... "I don't think Betty over steady myself, but of course it is no business of mine, and it will be far best that you should see Joe Jacks yourself, ma'am, and hear what he says about it."
"To be sure; ... and where can I see him?"