"I am very sorry to say I haven't any," she answered. "I'm doing nothing."
There was a moment's constraint.
"Unfortunately I know nobody here," she went on; "it's very hard to get anything when there's no one to speak for you."
"It must be! But, lor! you must bear up. It's a long lane that has no turning, as they say."
"Only there is no telling where the turning may lead; a lane is better than a bog."
"Wouldn't she do for Pattenden's?" suggested the woman musingly.
"For whom?" exclaimed Mary. "Do you think I can get something? Who are they?"
"James?"
"Pattenden's?" he repeated. "An' what; would she dae at Pattenden's?"
"Why, be agent, to be sure—same as you were!"