“You think the person at Southend won’t write again?”
“I’m afraid not. And she seemed so very unsatisfactory. Positively illiterate—oh, I couldn’t bear that.” Virginia gave a shudder as she spoke.
“I almost wish,” said Alice, “that I had accepted the place at Plymouth.”
“Oh, my dear! Five children and not a penny of salary. It was a shameless proposal.”
“It was, indeed,” sighed the poor governess. “But there is so little choice for people like myself. Certificates, and even degrees, are asked for on every hand. With nothing but references to past employers, what can one expect? I know it will end in my taking a place without salary.”
“People seem to have still less need of me,” lamented the companion. “I wish now that I had gone to Norwich as lady-help.”
“Dear, your health would never have supported it.”
“I don’t know. Possibly the more active life might do me good. It might, you know, Alice.”
The other admitted this possibility with a deep sigh.
“Let us review our position,” she then exclaimed.