Jane gave her a smile, showing her even, white teeth. This was returned by a look of hostility. Amelia was not to be won by any smile. She was not a weak man, and she prided herself on her even balance.
"Good afternoon," said Jane.
"Good afternoon," said Amelia in a tone of "Go to perdition with you!"
But Jane had no intention of doing so, at any rate, till she had had some tea. She handed some money to Amelia.
"Will you be good enough to give this to the man who is bringing my trunks along?"
"Were there no cabs? Most people takes cabs." Now she was being distinctly impertinent. I felt very angry with her.
"Please do as you are told," I said wrathfully, "and without comment."
She was, for the first time since she had been in my service, impressed by my anger, and at once she changed her tactics.
"The day would be hot I was thinkin' for Miss Fairbrother to walk."
"You were thinking nothing of the kind. Stick to the truth." And to my consternation she immediately did as she was told and stuck to it.