Just as Florence was rising from the table, Mrs. Leighton entered the room in street dress.
“I am glad you remained to lunch, Miss Linden,” she said. “You will be company for my little girl, who is very sociable. Carrie, I hope you were a good girl, and gave Miss Linden no trouble.”
“Ask Miss Linden, mamma,” said Carrie, confidently.
“Indeed, she did very well,” said Florence. “I foresee that we shall get along admirably.”
“I am glad to hear that. She is apt to be indolent.”
“I won’t be with Miss Linden, mamma. She makes the studies so interesting.”
After Florence left the house, Carrie pronounced an eulogium upon her which led Mrs. Leighton to congratulate herself upon having secured a governess who had produced so favorable an impression on her little girl.
“Was you kept after school, Florence?” asked Dodger, as she entered her humble home. “I am afraid you’ll find your dinner cold.”
“Never mind, Dodger. I am to take dinner—or lunch, rather—at the house where I am teaching; so hereafter Mrs. O’Keefe need not wait for me.”
“And how do you like your place?”