[CHAPTER X.]
THE NEW PROJECT.
WHEN the coffee was served with the dessert, Mr. Dudley, who had taken a cup, said with a bow to Miss Gilbert, "I suppose we are indebted to you for this luxury. Gertrude, I wish you would find out the method. This is really delicious."
"You are giving me quite too much praise," Marion answered quietly. "Bridge concocted it; and I agree with you she is deserving of great credit. Indeed I recognize in her the elements of a first rate cook; and as she says she has no place, I shall engage her for mamma."
This speech caused Gertrude to open her eyes, while the girl who had great shrewdness understood the plan at once.
"I don't see how I can spare her," faltered Mrs. Dudley, glancing shyly at her husband. "Our other servants have been so bad."
"I've no doubt, love, she will stay if you insist," urged Paul, beginning to fear that in dismissing a girl who could give him such a cup of coffee, and who was an embryo cook, he had made a mistake. "I will add another dollar a month to her wages if that will please you."
"Oh, thank you, Paul! I am so very glad."
After dinner the two lawyers went to Mr. Dudley's office; but first the husband managed to see Gertrude alone, when he asked abruptly:
"What stories of your husband's unkindness have you been telling Edward? He looks as grave as a judge."