“Thank you, sir; all pay and emoluments must go to my employers. I receive my wages—no more.”
And Hattie, with a graceful bow, took up the scattered pages, and went to her work-bench.
“W——, who on earth is this prodigy? The mistress of five languages—for she speaks English perfectly, and as pretty and lady-like as any woman that I ever met.”
The proprietor almost blushed when he said:
“My dear Mr. Legare, she has worked here, I believe, for nearly two years, at the same bench, and until to-day I never knew her acquirements. I have often noticed her beauty and extreme modesty, for she has avoided all intimacies in the shop, but nothing beyond this has attracted my notice. I never make myself familiar with my hands—seldom speak to them, except through the foreman. I am as much surprised as you at this discovery, and shall promote the girl at once, and increase her wages. Our work has increased so much—private work, like yours, that as a collator, translator, and arranger, she will have enough to do nearly all the time. Mr. Jones, you can so inform her, and prepare a table in some quiet part of the shop, where there is little noise, and she will not be disturbed.”
The foreman turned away with a bow of acquiescence, but was recalled to receive directions as to the style of binding required by Mr. Legare for the new works.
“This young lady—Miss Butler, I believe, is her name—will tell you what titles to put on the backs, and be sure to have the original dates of the issue of works there also. I am very particular about that.”
“I know it, sir, and we will be very careful,” said the foreman.
And when the man of wealth and influence turned to leave, Mr. W—— went down the stairs with him, and saw him into his carriage, and stood bare-headed on the sidewalk until he had driven away.
And this is Republican, Democratic America!