“Well,” she gasped, “I never heard of such a thing in all my life.”
John automatically adjusted his tie and ran his hand over his chin. He had been particularly careful in his toilet this morning.
“And what pray may be your reason?” she demanded.
“It’s nothin’ as you might say,” he answered uneasily, “that you can put your hands on, ma’am.”
“Don’t you get enough to eat?”
“Lord, yes, ma’am.”
“Aren’t you well enough paid?”
“I wouldn’t take no more, ma’am.”
“Have you secured another position?”
“No, ma’am,” he hastened to assure her as though freeing himself from the charge of treason.