Mrs. Yellam turned sharply. But there was no offence in the girl's quiet voice. She lay back in her chair, listening attentively, obviously interested. Mrs. Yellam nodded.
"And pore o' soul. You don't look, Miss Broomfield, as if you was ashamed o' service."
"I ain't," said Fancy.
"And I reckons you hold wi' me that folks should rest content in their proper station o' life, eh?"
Fancy answered politely:
"I heard a sermon preached on that in our cathedral."
"Did 'ee now?"
"Yes. Till I heard that sermon, Mrs. Yellam, I was never quite able to understand about doing my duty in that state of life unto which it should please God to call me."
"'Tis plain as plain to me," said Mrs. Yellam.
Fancy hesitated. She desired to please Alfred's mother. She was quick to realise how easily she might displease her. Being innately sincere, she continued bravely: