Fanny and the Servant Problem

by Jerome K. Jerome

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [as she takes her cup—patting Fanny’s hand]. And they’ll like you, dear, all of them.

FANNY [returning to table]. I hope so.

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. It’s wonderful, dear—you won’t mind my saying it?—how you’ve improved.

THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL. Of course it was such a change for you. And at first [turns to her sister] we were a little anxious about her, weren’t we?

Fanny has returned to them with the cake-basket.

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL [as she takes a piece]. Bennet [she lingers on the name as that of an authority] was saying only yesterday that he had great hopes of you.

THE YOUNGER MISS WETHERELL [Fanny is handing the basket to her]. Thank you, dear.

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. I told Vernon. He was so pleased.

FANNY. Vernon was?

THE ELDER MISS WETHERELL. He attaches so much importance to Bennet’s opinion.