"And what I was thinking," continued Rosy—"that is, if it is agreeable to you, Christian—is that every day, while we are out earning our fortunes, we might give Mrs. Carter, say, fourpence a day to keep our fire in and our room tidy, and perhaps to have the kettle boiling for us when we come in at night. If you like, Mrs. Carter, I think Christian and me would make it worth your while for fourpence a day."
"I'm agreeable to that same, if you make it sixpence."
"No, ma'am, we can't possibly do that. Fourpence is too high. If you don't like it, ma'am, say so, and we'll get a woman downstairs to do it for threepence, or maybe twopence."
"Well, I'll do it for fourpence if you throw supper into the bargain."
"Can we throw in supper, Miss Christian?" asked Rosy.
"I think so," said Christian, trying to act the part more forcibly than ever.
"Fourpence and supper, then," said Rose. "But it can't be paid any day that you don't make yourself useful, Mrs. Carter."
"No fear of me," said Mrs. Carter, with a toss of her head.
"And what part shall I have?" said Judith, who was absolutely taken in by Rose's cheerfulness.