"We'll see about it to-morrow," said Rosy. "I think, ma'am, we have all had our meal, and there's a deal for me and this young—person," she glancing at Christian as she spoke—"to see to. We has to begin our trade to-morrow morning. We are poor—very poor."
"Oh, my!" said Mrs. Carter.
She glanced at Judith, who winked back at her.
"Yes, desperate," continued Rosy. "Aint we, Miss Christian?"
"Certainly we're very poor," replied Christian.
"But, all the same," continued Rosy, "we're very happy; aint we, missy?"
"Very," said Christian again. "And we are so thankful to our kind friends who helped us to run away. We are——"
"Nonsense!" interrupted Mrs. Carter. "To think as you like this better nor the palaces you have come from."
"We are very happy, and there is such a thing as drudgery even in a palace," continued Rosy. "And this young—person—she don't call herself a lady any more—was going to a sort of prison school. She prefers liberty, even though liberty aint, so to speak, self-indulgence. We're both happy; aint we, Miss Christian?"